Rear axle bearing leaking...AGAIN

[bigvino]

hey everyone.. after a day of driving i parked the car and notice a puddle of Differential fluid near my left rear tire... i knew exactly what has happened because this has happened before.. i blew the axel seal... why does this keep happening?? thanks!

 

[Mustang5L5]

Have you replaced the bearing? It could be worn, or the axle is work allowing for excess play.

 

[bigvino]

i replaced the seal and the ball bearings this past November.. and its leaking again.. uhhh

 

[Mustang5L5]

In that case, take a look at the axle where it rides on the bearing...could be worn out causing some play

 

[bigvino]

ok ill check it out.. thanks!

 

[Mustang5L5]

Before you tear it all apart, take the drum off, and wiggle the axle up and down and see if it moves.

 

[ID89GT]

Same thing happened to me on my old car, the axle had worn down where the bearing rides and it caused excess play and allowed it to leak

 

[bigvino]

ID, did you just have to buy a whole new axle then?

 

[ID89GT]

I ended up selling the car before fixing it. But ya I'm pretty sure a new axle is the fix if its that bad

 

[Mustang5L5]

4-lug axles can be had cheap. I sold mine for $20 for both.

 

[rd]

They also make repair kits with a sleeve that goes on the axle and a bearing that fits over it, to give a new surface for the bearing to ride on.

Also make sure the axle vent is not plugged up.

 

[bigvino]

rd, do you know where i can find the repair sleeves?

 

[bigvino]

UPDATE: removed the rear diff. cover and noticed the gear oil had a shimmery metallic shine to it ( i knew something has gone terribly wrong) i was able to remove only one axle... the other axle was not pushing in to release the c-clip....any suggestions on what to do next? thanks!

 

[Mustang5L5]

Is thenaxle that won't push it the one that was leaking?

Sounds like the outer wheel bearing failed. Not quite sure how to remove though

 

[90mustangGT]

Hit the axel with a BFH to push it in. (Hammer)

 

[Mustang5L5]

Have buddy hold 2x4 across axle flange...then proceed to hit the 2x4 with a 10lb sledge inward and see if that knocks it loose.

Next prob will be getting the axle out. Hopefully hitting it in broke the seal between the bearing and axle, but who knows. Ot could be a royal PITA.

Plan on a new bearing and finding an axle.

 

[bigvino]

yeah its the same side that was leaking... in addition i was able to move the axle up and down...im thinking the wheel bearings inside the housing are shot..which can explain the metal shavings in the fluid. or maybe its something else.

 

[bigvino]

I tried knocking the axle out with a bfh..no luck.. :-( I'm thinking that I'm going to need a new rear end..I want to upgrade to disk brakes in the back.. Sooo I got a quote on a 97 vert rear end.. would that work? I've search stangnet and I haven't read about people using a rear end out of a 97 convertible? Thanks

 

[Mustang5L5]

Any 94-98 v8 rear end will work. You'll need to swap your brake lines over.

What they quote you? Guys pick those up for $200-300ish, or less sometimes.

 

[bigvino]

i got a quote for 400 for the rear end, brakes, calipers, master cylinder, brake booster. is that a good price??
and also i was looking to get some '03 cobra wheels.. would a 9" wide wheel create any rubbing?