Anyone ever had their traction lok go out? How much is average price for rebuild? Probably do the wheel bearings also? Does it hurt to drive it until I get it rebuilt? I might go out of state in a few weeks. Thanks!
the traction lock itself is no biggie. if the axle housing isnt leaking at the pinoin i wouldnt touch that. the axle bearings arent bad with a puller. just watch where all the shims/spacers come out from and re install them in the same manner.
if you pull the pinion then the re install is more involved because there is a crush sleve. some people say you can just re install it all using the same shims and torquing the crush sleeve too spec if your just replacing seals and bearings, but im iffy on that one.
Yeah, if your seal isn't leaking don't bother removing the pinion. I've never rebuilt a traction lock in a Ford (not yet, anyway - the TC rear I've got will be rebuilt before going in), but I've done it in GM's without even removing the diff carrier from the housing. If you only need clutches & steels it'll be cheap.
Doing the bearings is a good idea too, but be sure you inspect the axle shafts for wear or pitting. If the shafts are worn or pitted they'll have to be replaced - some people have had luck "sleeving" them but it is only a temporary repair.
While you're about it, when you get it all together it'd be a good time to put some synthetic fluid in. It costs a bit more but if it saves the axle shafts it'll be worth it. Don't forget the additive, too :hick:
You can reuse a crush sleeve ONLY if you are reusing the pinion bearings that are already on the pinion, and ONLY if you have a torque wrench that can measure rotational torque. You have to reset the rotational torque back to the same as it was when you took it apart. Also, if you replace the pinion bearings, a new crush sleeve is required.
It's not necessry to disturb the gears... If it ain't howling or has lots of slop in the ring & pinion, leave it alone. Even if the pinion seal is leaking, the yoke can be removed and reinst with no ill effects(use a punch to mark where the nut is on the shaft before you remove it, and reinst exact same.).
I reclutched mine back in '02, still works fine...