Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: how to change wheel bearings (Read 1787 times) previous topic - next topic

how to change wheel bearings

i need help on changeing my wheel bearings on my 88 thunderbird with a 5.0. i looked at the plate that tells you your axle size it said 8 so i dont know if it is a 7.5 or a 8.8? and what do i need to replace the bearings?
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
88 5.0L aod with duel flowmaster and speedo mod
88 5.0L H.O with 5 speed R.I.P
87 3.8L no trans. geting h.o and 5speed (project never ending thunder) started it as of 8-14-10
96 bronco xl 5.0L 5 speed man4x4
:birdsmily:

how to change wheel bearings

Reply #1 –
hmm, my 87 5.0 has a 7.5 open dif.  i havnt changed the rear bearsing (dont need to yet)  but if you were talkin about front wheel bearings i could help.  sorry :x  but yeh im pretty sure you got the 7.5, but i could be wrong, you might have gotten a car with a axel swap, or they put the 8.8 in the 5.0 in 88 oposed to 87 5.0s

how to change wheel bearings

Reply #2 –
its the rear axle and on the plate in the door it said it had a 8in axle
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
88 5.0L aod with duel flowmaster and speedo mod
88 5.0L H.O with 5 speed R.I.P
87 3.8L no trans. geting h.o and 5speed (project never ending thunder) started it as of 8-14-10
96 bronco xl 5.0L 5 speed man4x4
:birdsmily:

how to change wheel bearings

Reply #3 –
do they both have a open diff
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
88 5.0L aod with duel flowmaster and speedo mod
88 5.0L H.O with 5 speed R.I.P
87 3.8L no trans. geting h.o and 5speed (project never ending thunder) started it as of 8-14-10
96 bronco xl 5.0L 5 speed man4x4
:birdsmily:

how to change wheel bearings

Reply #4 –
also do the axles have any play in and out of the houseing? mine have about 1/16 to 1/8 in and out
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
88 5.0L aod with duel flowmaster and speedo mod
88 5.0L H.O with 5 speed R.I.P
87 3.8L no trans. geting h.o and 5speed (project never ending thunder) started it as of 8-14-10
96 bronco xl 5.0L 5 speed man4x4
:birdsmily:

how to change wheel bearings

Reply #5 –
8.8s were traction lock (posi)
7.5s were either traction lock or open which can be determined by the axle code on the door tag.

how to change wheel bearings

Reply #6 –
You need a really high quality slide hammer puller. I cannot emphasize enough on using a quality tool. I have had a bearing explode on me with all the bearings on the ground and the out ring still seized in the axle. And what a good ole time you will have trying to get that out. I know I did. :rolleyes:
2005 Subaru WRX STi|daily driver

how to change wheel bearings

Reply #7 –
what code is what?
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
88 5.0L aod with duel flowmaster and speedo mod
88 5.0L H.O with 5 speed R.I.P
87 3.8L no trans. geting h.o and 5speed (project never ending thunder) started it as of 8-14-10
96 bronco xl 5.0L 5 speed man4x4
:birdsmily:

how to change wheel bearings

Reply #8 –
It's all here
but in short, here, I just copied the table.

CODE     Rear Axle Ratio
Conventional    Locking
8                  M    2.73
Y                  Z    3.08
F                  R    3.45
5                  E    3.27
6                  W    3.73

how to change wheel bearings

Reply #9 –
All the info is  here

Basically it's the following...
Conventional ...   Locking...Ratio
8    .....................M ..........   2.73
Y    .....................Z ............3.08
F    .....................R ...........   3.45
5    .....................E ...........   3.27
6    .....................W ..........   3.73

*EDIT- woops, I didn't put two and two together. On your door tag you have an 8, so that means you should have a 7.5in open rear with 2.73 gears.

how to change wheel bearings

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Ether947;126221
I have had a bearing explode on me with all the bearings on the ground and the out ring still seized in the axle.


Wow, talk about some bad luck with cars! If that happened to me, I think I would just hang my head and start sobbing.
1984 Cougar Convertible
1988 Cougar XR-7

how to change wheel bearings

Reply #11 –
I had that happen to me, too, in my '88 Cougar. I also had to cut the diff pin out with a torch after somebody (the service manager's son at the dealership I worked at and bought the car from) spun the wheels so bad when it was stuck in mud that the spider gears welded themselves to the pin. The entire job started out being a simple wheel bearing replacement and wound up a job from hell.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣
 

how to change wheel bearings

Reply #12 –
thx for the help
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
88 5.0L aod with duel flowmaster and speedo mod
88 5.0L H.O with 5 speed R.I.P
87 3.8L no trans. geting h.o and 5speed (project never ending thunder) started it as of 8-14-10
96 bronco xl 5.0L 5 speed man4x4
:birdsmily: