North American Turbocoupe Organization



Odd rear end problem
dlphnfn Offline
Junior Member
#1
I've been searching some old posts for a couple days looking for some answers, but I can't find anything that matches what I'm seeing/hearing.
Basically, I have a 88 TC daily driver with a 5 speed that has been making some odd noises out of the rear end. It started one morning on the interstate as just a howl type of noise. Then when I pulled into the parking lot at work, it seemed to almost get geary (like I was driving on sand bar tires).
I drove it home that afternoon, and everything went fine, no noises or anything.
The next morning, nothing went wrong, but that afternoon, it did the same thing as the previous morning. It howled a little when I was going 60-70, and when I pulled onto my road (left turn) it made a grinding type of noise like I was going too slow in 3rd gear or something.
I changed out the diff fluid as that was a needed project anyway. That didn't seem to help. I hate to just keep throwing money at it from what worked for other people in other posts.
Anyone have any ideas? Or had something like this before? Thanks,
Erick --
88 Turbo Coupe - K&N Cone, but other than that, completely stock and love it!
2000 Contour SVT - My new car.
2001 Explorer - Wife's.
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#2
I'm going to move this to the General Discussion forum.

My guess would be to check the bearings and axle on each side. the bearings ride on the axle and the axle eventually wears
Pete Dunham


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Dan S Offline
Administrator
#3
Erick,
If you have a set of good jack stands and a level paved area, set it up and let it run in gear. I suspect bearing damage is the noise and this will help isolate which bearing or (bearings), if it's in the carrier assembly.

Good luck.
Dan S
Custom 88 TC, Mandarin Copper Pearl Metallic
http://natomessageboard.com/ubbthreads.p...5#comments
1972 Ford F-100 SWB Styleside
2015 Lincoln MKC 2.3 EcoBoost AWD
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dlphnfn Offline
Junior Member
#4
Thanks for the replies, gents. Is that something that anyone can do? I've never torn into the axels before. Not even sure what I'm looking for or what bearings would need replaced. Any hints?
Erick --

Thanks Pete. I must have been browsing other forums...
88 Turbo Coupe - K&N Cone, but other than that, completely stock and love it!
2000 Contour SVT - My new car.
2001 Explorer - Wife's.
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#5
If the noise is coming from the axle end(s), out near the wheels, then it's either the bearing there or the bearings have worn the axle. I think you have to remove the axle C clips, inside the center section and pull the axle shafts out to inspect. Others can give a better description.
Pete Dunham


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Dan S Offline
Administrator
#6
If you have a Ford service manual, the axle bearings are not too bad to deal with, but you'll have to take the axles to a shop to have the old bearings removed and new installed on the axle shaft. If the axle is severly worn, that will have to be replaced too. You save the high labor costs, by doing it yourself.

My rule of thumb is, I'll try anything as long it's not my daily driver. I depend on that to take me back and forth to work, so it goes to the dealer. The TC, is my fun project and I'll try anything but body work and welding.

Enjoy!
Dan S
Custom 88 TC, Mandarin Copper Pearl Metallic
http://natomessageboard.com/ubbthreads.p...5#comments
1972 Ford F-100 SWB Styleside
2015 Lincoln MKC 2.3 EcoBoost AWD
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Robert Camp Offline
Posting Freak
#7
The bearings are a press fit in the axle housing. After removing the axles, you'll need the appropriate hook and slide hammer to get the bearings out. You'll also need a socket big enough to press against the outer race to install the bearings in tube. It's really not a bad job, but it does have a few tool requirements that are difficult to work around.
But it does sort of sound like a bearing issue.
Robert Camp
'86 Medium Regatta Blue TC, 5-speed, original owner.
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Walsted Offline
Posting Freak
#8
Been there, done this, with two different rear ends, more than once on one. As Robert said, it isn't too difficult with the right tools. Important things to remember:

1. You will have to remove the differential cover to get to the C-clips, which means that you will have to replace the lubricant. When you open the differential cover, it is likely that some will splash onto you. The friction modifier in the lubricant has one of the worst smells on the planet, and can last on clothing for multiple washings and years of banishment to the garage. Ask me how I know.

2. Permatex works as well as a gasket on the differential cover, if not better.

3. If the rear end is old, it may be a good time to replace the limited slip clutch plates while the differential cover is off. The kit ran about $50 when I did it. If the clutch plates are really, really worn, it may contribute to the noise you hear while driving.

4. There are two different types of bearings, one with the integral seal, and one without, meaning you will have to purchase and install a separate seal. The integral one is more expensive than the bearing and seal separately, but the bearings are relocated so that the expensive one may be able to save an axle if there is wear where the old bearing ran.

Hope this helps, and hope I am corrected if anyone knows differently.
Mike Walsted - Sold my 1986 5-speed TurboCoupe
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Robert Camp Offline
Posting Freak
#9
Nope, sounds good. Been there too. The integral bearing/seal combo is called an axle saver at NAPA. As mentioned it moves the bearing out to a hopefully good bearing surface on the axle. This has the unfortunate result of limiting the axle lateral movement, making inserting/removing the C clips a little more of a pain.
Normally, the C clips are a snap after you remove the pinion shaft retainer bolt and pinion shaft. The axles can be pushed in towards the differential a small amount and the C clips will almost fall out. Once you install the axle savers, the axle will not move as far towards the diff. so the C clips aren't as loose.
On the smell, I have bottled that in a men's cologne - along with another that's based on Hoppe's Number 9 gun cleaner.
Robert Camp
'86 Medium Regatta Blue TC, 5-speed, original owner.
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Walsted Offline
Posting Freak
#10
Quote:Originally posted by Robert Camp:

Normally, the C clips are a snap after you remove the pinion shaft retainer bolt and pinion shaft. The axles can be pushed in towards the differential a small amount and the C clips will almost fall out. Once you install the axle savers, the axle will not move as far towards the diff. so the C clips aren't as loose.
In my experience, one or both clips will fall off and into the little pool of remaining lube as soon as the pinion shaft is removed and the axles experience the slightest movement. A few minutes later the profanity starts, once I realize I grabbed the clips from the lube without latex gloves, thus my hands are going to smell like dead fish for quite a while.

Hope this helps.
Mike Walsted - Sold my 1986 5-speed TurboCoupe
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