Differential!?
Posted: August 8, 2022, 4:26 pm
After hearing a nasty noise under the truck, I decided it was time to check the driveshaft. It was 100 degrees outside and I didn't really have the energy to get this 70 yo protoplasmic antique outside, but if I didn't do it, who would. But first, I tried a few service stations (five, to be exact). The price ranged from $200 and no guarantee to $2400 and no guarantee, and regardless of my choice there was a 1 week wait for the service. SO here it goes.
I crawled under the truck and wriggled the driveshaft. I noticed that the rubber between the carrier bearing and its housing was gone, so I took the 2 driveshafts out and went through them. The three U-joints wee good (actually quite good) so I changed out the carrier and reinstalled it. The noise got worse. Really, it's too hot for this, and I am too old, but I then lifted the rear axle and checked the wheel movement, I discovered that the left rear wheel bearing was howling. And, while it was disassembled, I noticed that the rear brake was shot, really shot. So I replaced the bearing and brakes. It took me 2 days to locate a store in town that even had the parts, but when I did find them, they were of the highest quality. While it was up, I checked the right rear and found the seal leaking, but the bearing in excellent shape, so I replaced the seal. I also noticed that the rr brakes were actually in excellent shape, but I changed it out anyway.
I also noticed that the diff pinion seal appeared to be leaking. And that the rear end was virtually empty of fluid. SO I put 2 quarts of gear oil in.
Success. The noise is gone and the truck now rolls quietly.
Unfortunately, I am now left with a leaky pinion seal and I am too afraid to tackle the job. And there is some play in the rear end. Not much, about an inch at the wheel. I need some serious morale help. What am I going to get into if I pull that rear yoke off. Can I remove the nut with a Harbor Freight discount impact wrench that has maybe 120 foot pounds of torque. Whats all this hoopla about a squeeze sleeve. Should I remove just the nut and yoke, or the carrier housing, or maybe the entire differential.
Really, if new and used cars weren't so expensive I would donate this thing the a sado-masochist society and let them figure it all out. Why can't I get enough energy to just finish the electric Porsche.
I crawled under the truck and wriggled the driveshaft. I noticed that the rubber between the carrier bearing and its housing was gone, so I took the 2 driveshafts out and went through them. The three U-joints wee good (actually quite good) so I changed out the carrier and reinstalled it. The noise got worse. Really, it's too hot for this, and I am too old, but I then lifted the rear axle and checked the wheel movement, I discovered that the left rear wheel bearing was howling. And, while it was disassembled, I noticed that the rear brake was shot, really shot. So I replaced the bearing and brakes. It took me 2 days to locate a store in town that even had the parts, but when I did find them, they were of the highest quality. While it was up, I checked the right rear and found the seal leaking, but the bearing in excellent shape, so I replaced the seal. I also noticed that the rr brakes were actually in excellent shape, but I changed it out anyway.
I also noticed that the diff pinion seal appeared to be leaking. And that the rear end was virtually empty of fluid. SO I put 2 quarts of gear oil in.
Success. The noise is gone and the truck now rolls quietly.
Unfortunately, I am now left with a leaky pinion seal and I am too afraid to tackle the job. And there is some play in the rear end. Not much, about an inch at the wheel. I need some serious morale help. What am I going to get into if I pull that rear yoke off. Can I remove the nut with a Harbor Freight discount impact wrench that has maybe 120 foot pounds of torque. Whats all this hoopla about a squeeze sleeve. Should I remove just the nut and yoke, or the carrier housing, or maybe the entire differential.
Really, if new and used cars weren't so expensive I would donate this thing the a sado-masochist society and let them figure it all out. Why can't I get enough energy to just finish the electric Porsche.