Ford 8.8" Axle Bearing and Seal Replacement How-To

[@stevesnowball8739]

Good video , straight forward , easy and clear , good job .

[@Montgomeryleather2]

loving this build dude, got a 93 long bed 2.3 i may manual swap. keep on!

[@stuffyoucando2]

Thanks!

[@johnwhite192]

My question is do i have to remove all rear break stuff? I think I have bent axle thats what my mechanic said after he installed new rear drums and shoes it still squeaks back there only from one side we even tried another drum because after going around block the drum would get extremely hot on one side not the other. Took us while back and forth to come to conclusion rear axle might be bent. I did have blow out at 80mph so its not surprising. Either way i think it is time for the bearings and seals to be serviced anyway. I wounder how hard it is to see with the eye if axle is bent? Thanks i doubt I can do this without a lift and not removing axle.

[@stuffyoucando2]

You could do this in the truck if needed and if you have drums you don’t need to remove anything other than the drum itself as far as brake parts are concerned. I actually had to do that later with the axle in this video because it also had a bent axle shaft. I had gotten the axle from a junk yard and didn’t know until I drove the truck afterwards that it was bent. So all of the shaft removal steps can definitely be done in the truck, I’ve done it with no lift and it’s not bad to do. Even the bearings shouldn’t be an issue either. Good luck!

[@johnwhite192]

@stuffyoucando2 what was your symptoms for bent axle shaft? Did it make your rear brakes squeak? For me it will only squeak at last few seconds of coming to complete stop . And at low speeds in traffic with no brake or gas on it will get slight hop coming from rear. But as long as you apply gas or break it is hardly noticable. On highway it does bunch of wierd stuff every bump feels 10times worst than it should i believe. I just want to make sure im putting money in right area. The axle shafts aint cheap i would definitely use new. My luck is like yours spend all day at junk yard just to get bent axle lol. Thanks man appreciate your time.

[@stuffyoucando2]

The brakes didn't really squeak, the main symptom was vibration, especially under braking but there was some vibration at any speed over about 35mph. What I did to diagnose it was put the rear on jack stands and run the truck at idle in gear and look at the wheels. I could visibly see wobbling when looking at the inside of the wheel as well as the inside edge of the drum. I think in your case I'd look for that and if you see it in the wheel, switch the sides for the wheels and see if it stays with the wheel or at the axle. If it stays with the wheel, then you have a bent wheel. Are you using the wheel that had the blowout?

[@mlgoon404]

If I’m just replacing just the bearings and seals do I have to open the diff at all?

[@stuffyoucando2]

Yes, you still need to. The axle shafts can’t be pulled out unless the C clips are removed, which is done as shown here.

[@dennismoyer8463]

Yes

[@PNW_Car_Mods]

Nice video. You didn't talk much about the axle surface itself unless I missed it. It's not uncommon for these axles to be trash when you pull them out just due to wear. Man I need to buy one of those seal pullers. Way easier than using a cold chisel.

[@limpit_drone6104]

Shit thats not what i wanna read😭

[@PNW_Car_Mods]

@@limpit_drone6104 Thankfully most parts stores usually have them in stock or can get them quickly if you happen to need one. I wouldn't fret over it too much. I've pulled like 8 of these 8.8 axles over the years and have ran into two bad axles and then my son had a complete axle fail to the point where there was so much play in the axle it ate the seal and then flung gear oil all over the wheel.

[@limpit_drone6104]

@@PNW_Car_Mods oh man I’m hoping my issue’s just a diff cover gasket, id be so mad having to do a rebuild at 54k miles

[@daveoakes6232]

I bought one works great

[@jermarcha]

What was the till called that you used to reseat the bearing and seal?

[@laurenkreiger5899]

Can you do a video where a guy like me let the spider gears drop and now I’m in a jam. I have the gears out of the diff housing now but am Leary to pull it apart more…that weird S shaped piece between the 2 axle bearings is stressing me out

[@stuffyoucando2]

Unfortunately I can’t pull mine apart to do a video on that. I had this happen to me once before when changing out an axle shaft because I forgot to elevate both wheels and I rotated the elevated side with the pin removed and didn’t realize the spider gears were coming out as I was turning it and they fell out. In my case I put them back in by placing them in the positions they were in when they fell out and rotating the wheel back the opposite way and the side gears moved them back in. It was a pain and took a few tries but worked, but I’d probably recommend watching some of the differential overhaul videos and finding that point in the process, but it will most certainly require removing that S spring.

[@laurenkreiger5899]

@@stuffyoucando2 Thank you for your reply....I eventually got the gears back in place. I have another rear diff to rebuild so I think I will make a video as there us nothing out there that speaks directly to this problem :)

[@Vater1]

Where’s that magnet tool from ?

[@stuffyoucando2]

I’ve had that a really long time and can’t seem to find the exact one, but the closest one to it is probably this: www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-Automotive-Flexible-Magnetic-Pickup-Tool/1003096204 Harbor freight also sells a similar one with a light.

[@Vater1]

Thanks

[@stuffyoucando2]

@@Vater1 no problem.

[@dallaswheeler2094]

You have a Pn for the seals

[@stuffyoucando2]

The seals can be different depending on what vehicle you have.

[@RickJamesx112]

What size was the cross pin retainer bolt?

[@stuffyoucando2]

If I remember correctly you need an 8mm wrench to remove that bolt.

[@bigmotoxer]

I didn't see no o-ring when removing or installing c clips

[@stuffyoucando2]

I’m sure with age they can deteriorate and go missing.

[@lossdlmuno1]

Hi I've wasted the whole day trying to find the seal for that specific axle by any chance donyou know the part number?

[@stuffyoucando2]

I recommend going to a place like Rock Auto and entering in your vehicle information to figure it out. There are different variations of the 8.8” axle that require different seals, such as the 28 and 31 spline versions, which have different diameter shafts resulting in different part number seals.

[@lossdlmuno1]

@@stuffyoucando2 thank you 🙏

[@shawnbrinton]

The bearings i just pulled out of mine are one piece (seal and bearing) and driver side was different then passenger. 🤷‍♂️🤔

[@bigmotoxer]

​@@shawnbrintonthose bearing / seal combos are sold to install after the car is had many miles on it because the original seal wears grooves into the axle, by installing the bearing / seal that you speak of allows the seal lip to ride in a different location on the Axel therefore finding a new unworn area of the axle so it will seal good.

[@valkyriesurvives5109]

Ok so, maybe you'll have an idea here, it appears I did everything correctly, but the brand new axle seal on my Crown Vic 8.8 is still dumping gear oil from the passenger side hub exactly as it was before

[@stuffyoucando2]

How does the axle itself look? If it has a groove worn around it where the seal rides, it’ll likely leak. There are a couple of options to fix it possibly. There may be repair sleeves available that will press onto the axle shaft, similar to ones offered for crankshaft main seal repairs. Otherwise, a new axle shaft will be needed.

[@CoolHandGarage]

LMR also sells an extra wide bearing that changes where the seal lands on the axle shaft which may help.