bad pinion bearing...?

[wingman]

as i was getting ready the remove the driveshaft to replace the pinion seal i noticed i can move the whole driveshift in any direction about a 1/4 inch.
im guessing that way to much play and that the pinion bearing is gone.
is the diff to damaged to put a new bearing and seal in?

i'm out of my realm here!

or is the seal so far gone that it moves that much?

[fuzzy1]

If I rembember from your other post, this 1 has 240k miles on it? Do you mean you can twist it 1/4" same as the tranny would, or it wiggles like you can change the yokes angle up/down/sideways? If the latter, um yeah, I'd call that a way bad bearing... yikes bad bearing!! Which would make it likely the ring & pinion are badly if not totally worn. Your call ofc, but if it was me I'd start calling junkyards for a 'good' 3rd member. Rebuild can prolly be done, but would also prolly cost tons more than you'd find a 'guaranteed good' used one for. Heh, too bad it's not a dodge raider/mitsu montero from 87-88... I have a limited slip diff from an '87 sitting in a box in my storeroom.
Are you sure the play isn't in the u-joint? In this case, the diff yoke would be stable while the driveshaft side yoke would wiggle, & the play would be visible in the u-joint. Much easier fix if so.

Fuzz

[wingman]

all the play is in the diff yoke.
can the bearing be changed from the front,or do i need to crack the diff case to change it?
i need to keep this diff going long enough to get the money together to get another one.

[fuzzy1]

Well, the last one I've dealt with was the 9" rear on my '78 Ford Bronco, & no, it's not a driveway job. Similar '3rd member' design though, the Ford 9" is sorta the standard even. I just pulled the 3rd member & took it to rebuilder. Fresh ring, pinion, bearing, & seal. Definite specialist kinda thing. Sorry to say but no, & I sure wouldn't drive it with that kind of play in it either!!

Fuzz

[wingman]

i'm going to wait til monday,and start calling around to get it rebuilt.
price wise how much should/will it cost if i just drop my tracker off to them?

[fuzzy1]

That I can't tell you, other than, call around & shop around. Dealer will be tons. It would save you alot to pull the 3rd member & take it in, but that's a project in itself; pull rear brakes & axles then the 3rd member. Guess it depends on your experience/skill level & available tools etc. On my Bronco (Wow I miss that ole horse, accept the gas mileage!) me & a friend pulled the 3rd member in his garage. But then he's a diesel mechanic & I, while far from mechanic, have a decent knowledge base. I had that 9" done for about $450, handing him the 3rd member. But that was 10+ years ago too... & a very common rear. (& rebuilt by a guy who does rears & nothing but for a living.) You could prolly still have a shop put in a used 3rd member cheaper than rebuilding. Alot of places will do that for you. Sry for your broken car though.

Fuzz

[wingman]

ok,after looking on the net for 2 hours i found a carrier out of a 92 5spd.
even more helpful is the yard is open tomorrow so i can go get it.
i called already(open til 9!),his tag on it said great condition,92 5spd rear,30 day warrenty,$150...but he couldnt remember if it was from a 2wd or 4wd.
would that make a difference?
ive rebuilt 2 dodge neon trannys,and a few fiero engine(now thats a car i miss!) so im handy with tools.in most cases i can do it provided i have a book to walk me though some stuff.
tool wise,got a little of alot.i prefer to at least try myself first(except timing belts in newer cars..hate them!).

around and about how much time should i alot to changing out the rear if mainly i go by the book?

thank you fuzzy!

shane

[fuzzy1]

On the 2wd/4wd question, sorry to say 'I don't know'. Maybe someone else on here would know for sure. There's alot of potential mismatch: spline count/axle size, gear ratio (has to be same front & rear) yoke size. But I don't know specific to track/kicks what, if anything, varies on em.
*Calls for expertise* JERRYYYYYYYY!! Hrm who else would know... I bet Rhinoman or Bear. Hey guys, do these rears vary or they all the same?

Time? Well, it was an evening project for both the pull & re-install, but then, we never did hurry, & shot the !@#$ alot during beer/smoke breaks... you know... talk about the crazy angle I had the bronc the weekend before that would have most jeeps (& trackers!) shiny side down. Ahh, to be young & foolish again!

Fuzz

[Harleyindahouse]

Originally Posted by wingman

ok,after looking on the net for 2 hours i found a carrier out of a 92 5spd.
even more helpful is the yard is open tomorrow so i can go get it.
i called already(open til 9!),his tag on it said great condition,92 5spd rear,30 day warrenty,$150...but he couldnt remember if it was from a 2wd or 4wd.
would that make a difference?
ive rebuilt 2 dodge neon trannys,and a few fiero engine(now thats a car i miss!) so im handy with tools.in most cases i can do it provided i have a book to walk me though some stuff.
tool wise,got a little of alot.i prefer to at least try myself first(except timing belts in newer cars..hate them!).

around and about how much time should i alot to changing out the rear if mainly i go by the book?

thank you fuzzy!
shane

Hours or so and your done;

Let me know if you get you get the diff!

HAVE COMPLETE SET FRONT AND REAR 4X4.... I could do it $300.00 and no prob with 30 days! I test and rebuild anway!

[wingman]

went to the yard to get the carrier.it was the right one,but it wasnt in much better shape.the bearing had play in it,not like mine but enough that it would need replaced.
so i passed.
ive decided for right now to take mine apart some to see how bad it is.
ive got the driveshaft off,but cant get the carriers yoke nut removed.
normally i use a breaker bar and pipe,but theres just not enough room to do so.

had to take a warm up break...its snowing and its cold!