I've discovered that the pass side seal is leaking.... I've also found that it's really no big deal to replace the seals, as long as you are comfortable with pulling the axles.

I've not done this specific task before, but by reading up on it here and looking in the Chiltons manual, it seems pretty straight forward. I've rebuilt engines, swapped engines, etc, so I feel confident in my mechanical skills to be able to tackle this, so that's not an issue.... But......

My "problem" is with regards to the bearings. I know I should just go ahead and replace these too while it's all exposed, but the manual mentions that they could be the "pressed" in type or the "loose" type......

Does anyone know what a 1997 9.75" rear end would have for the bearings and is it difficult to deal with these if they are pressed in?

Thanks!!

 

I just replaced the passenger side axle seal in my 2000 F150 Supercab4x4. It has the 9.75" rear. The truck had 80k miles on it. I just replaced the seal. If the bearing is not making noise, I don't see any reason to replace it. My bearing looked good and there was no detectable wear on the axle. The bearing on mine was pressed inside the axle housing. The wear surface is on the axle. I used a crowbar to pull the seal. I probably could have used it to remove the bearing. But, like I said, I couldn't see any reason to replace the bearing. The seal was less than $3 at the Ford dealer. However, the synthetic 75w140 lubricant with two bottles of friction modifier for the traction lok cost about $50. I used a hammer and a short piece of 2"x4" with a paper towel to keep the trash out of the axle housing to drive the seal back in.

 

Thanks Roadie!

Good information. Mines got 122k on it and no indication of a bearing problem, just figured that since it was all opened up....

I was quoted $170.00 to do both sides plus parts at the Ford dealer for just the seals. I knew about the rear diff fluid cost. I've already replaced mine once with some Amsoil and the modifier for about that same price..... That was about two years ago, so it won't be a total waste........

Had another quote for $130 per side plus parts, but they would replace the bearings too........

Figure I can save quite a bit in labor alone. I'd have to pay for the parts anyway....

It's amazing that the failure of a $3.00 part causes the expense to go up to replace it. I shouldn't feel so bad.... In NASCAR, they have failures of $3.00 parts and it costs them a whole lot more then this!!

Thanks again.

 

What a piece of cake to do this job! It's far easier to do this then to change the damn spark plugs, that's for sure!

Took me less then 45 minutes to do both sides! And that was only because I was taking my time and taking time to watch the Craftsman Truck race every now and then....

I figure if Ford was going to charge $170.00 to do this, and it really only took me about two hours total, including getting the pan back on and the new lube in. (I hate not having a gasket and having to wait for the damn RVT stuff to setup....... )

Just hope it fixed the leak!

 

I can see $170 for the repair from Ford. My area is abou $60/hr labor rate so if it does take them 2 hrs (shouldn't but it might if its a new tech) then close to $50 for the lube, then the seals (about $10 for the pair as I recall) its in the ball park. Not an overly excessive rate, but I'd never pay that. This is another one of those examples when its much cheaper to do the work yourself. I figured when I replaced the front wheel bearing assemblies it would have been $300-400 from Ford. Bearing cost me $200 and I was done in 30 min.

 

Actually, the $170 was just going to be labor.... Parts would have been extra.... Since I actually had both sides done in 45 minutes and spent the rest of the time getting the pan cleaned up and waiting for the RVT to setup, that's still more then I make per hour, so it was time well spent! Besides, I was in my garage, wathing a truck race and had a couple beers!! That's priceless IMO!!

I'm sure I could do it in half the time now that I know what to expect.

 

Wow, $170 for just the labor........thats on the high side. I thought that was for everything. Must be nice having TV in the shop. Thats the plan once I can get the shop cleaned up. If my grandpa leaves the 36" tv in there (uses it with a camera to be able to see) I'm gonna run a cable out there and put the spare box I have in there with it. Also I'm gonna find a place in there for my computer desk and a PC and run DSL out there as well.

 

Oh yeah, adding the TV to the garage was the best piece of equipment I've got so far!! (other then the beer fridge!) Got it hooked up to the cable as well. Even in the Winter, I just crank up the "Mr. Heater" propane heater and do whatever I need to do. Don't know about getting the PC out there...... Wife would leave me at that point!