My Rear End (lol)

[detrailers]

OK so now that I have read that the rear ends on the 03 don't have much life left after 100k miles and being the fact my car is 96k, and since I am in way deeper than I planned, what should I do to the rear end. I have seen rebuild kits for about $100. Do I need to do anything about the axles?.... There are no leaks. Read some horror stories about wheels coming off etc...

[lifespeed]

OK so now that I have read that the rear ends on the 03 don't have much life left after 100k miles and being the fact my car is 96k, and since I am in way deeper than I planned, what should I do to the rear end. I have seen rebuild kits for about $100. Do I need to do anything about the axles?.... There are no leaks. Read some horror stories about wheels coming off etc...

Listen for faint rumbling coming from the rear, or felt through the seat. With the rear supported by jack stands, try and pry (or jack) the wheels up and down and look for play in the axle/bearing interface. Does it do one-wheel peel (limited slip not so limited anymore)? Is there clanging going from drive to reverse? This can also be rear control arms.

Figure out what the car needs and prioritize maintenance time and dollars. 11 year old 100k mile cars typically need work.

[Bad_S55]

Is a ticking (smaking) sound at really low speeds a sign of a dying rear end, or could that just be my u-joints?

[fastblackmerc]

Is a ticking (smaking) sound at really low speeds a sign of a dying rear end, or could that just be my u-joints?

Possibly the rear end.

[detrailers]

Listen for faint rumbling coming from the rear, or felt through the seat. With the rear supported by jack stands, try and pry (or jack) the wheels up and down and look for play in the axle/bearing interface. Does it do one-wheel peel (limited slip not so limited anymore)? Is there clanging going from drive to reverse? This can also be rear control arms.

Figure out what the car needs and prioritize maintenance time and dollars. 11 year old 100k mile cars typically need work.

Yes it definitely has a very slight vibration, felt thru the seat like you mentioned, that occurs at light throttle, low speed... Like when creeping thru a parking lot. I had thought it was maybe trans or u joint related. So getting back to my original question, since I will at very least be having the axle rebuilt and apart, should the axles be replaced for good measure or anything else. I guess my question is redundant and the axle shop will tell me. Anyone know of a good shop in the North Dallas area?

[sailsmen]

Take the cover off for a visual inspection and fluid change.

Being a DD and a car that sees track time I change fluids once a year to facilitate inspection. I also have oil and trans lab analysis done.

[babbage]

OK so now that I have read that the rear ends on the 03 don't have much life left after 100k miles and being the fact my car is 96k, and since I am in way deeper than I planned, what should I do to the rear end. I have seen rebuild kits for about $100. Do I need to do anything about the axles?.... There are no leaks. Read some horror stories about wheels coming off etc...

If you are going to spend the money to fix it replacing the axles is a no brainer as they have to come out if you service the rear end.

I'd do the whole nine yards.
-New Axles
-New Ring and Pinion (change the gear perhaps??)
-New Trak-Lok carrier
-New Diff Cover - or Gridle is better with drain/fill plugs
-New FRPP Master rebuild kit - bearings/seals etc - you won't need the clutches if you get a new T-lok carrier.

Break in with cheap dino gear oil. Then drain and put in the good synthetic stuff.

Since you will pay $300ish in Labor, you may as well replace everything since you seem to love your MM as most do on this site..

Good luck.

[lifespeed]

Yes it definitely has a very slight vibration, felt thru the seat like you mentioned, that occurs at light throttle, low speed... Like when creeping thru a parking lot. I had thought it was maybe trans or u joint related. So getting back to my original question, since I will at very least be having the axle rebuilt and apart, should the axles be replaced for good measure or anything else. I guess my question is redundant and the axle shop will tell me. Anyone know of a good shop in the North Dallas area?

In my experience, vibration from the rear is often tires out of balance. Worn axles and bearings make a faintly audible rumbling. Perhaps they are capable of vibration also, not sure.

Axle wear is easily visible once disassembled, so no need to guess. The ring and pinion gear are possibly the only components in the rear to stand a chance of lasting more than 100K miles. Inspect, but if you aren't planning on a ratio change you may be able to re-use the gears if they look really good.

[detrailers]

Tires are brand new so doubtful on that. What you described is spot on... More of a faint audible sound. Hard to tell if it's felt or heard because it's so faint.
Since I would have everything apart might be a good time to switch to 4.10s but wonder what that would do to the mileage and would it be screaming on the highway...

[fastblackmerc]

Tires are brand new so doubtful on that. What you described is spot on... More of a faint audible sound. Hard to tell if it's felt or heard because it's so faint.
Since I would have everything apart might be a good time to switch to 4.10s but wonder what that would do to the mileage and would it be screaming on the highway...

You obviously haven't searched the "should I go with 4.10 gears threads".....

The MM was originally spec'd to have 4.10's. The bean counters forced 3.55's to be installed so the corporation could meet C.A.F.E. standards.

You will lose 1-2 MPG with the 4.10's.

The engine will turn about 200RPM faster at 70MPH.

The installation of 4.10's is a MAJOR improvement.

You will need a tuner & a tune to compensate for the difference in gears - speedo and shifting.

[detrailers]

Jeez....there goes another few hundred...thanks for the info

[detrailers]

Anyone have the part number for the Ford Racing 4.10 ring now that I have to order that

[detrailers]

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...068571&alt=web
I think this is it

[RubberCtyRauder]

Any 8.8 ford ring and pinion. They all the same. You'll lose 2 mpg. And it's closer to 500 more rpm but more than 200

[Gryphonzus]

Ford also sells a rebuild kit that was for a recall for the rear end that includes both axles all the bearings and seals and fluids. Unfortunately the recall was only for fleet vehicles. It is rather inexpensive compared to buying it piece by piece. And if you have a good shop to do it they get a discount on the kit so it saves even more money. good luck!