14b ff problem

[dieselponyexpress]

I'm hearing some noise from my rear axle (14b ff detroit) driver's side. It's not the "detroit bang", but a squealing sound, like a bearing maybe.
Also my tire is rubbing on the ground if driving left turns.
Again, I don't mean the detroit locker behaviour - I'm driving the truck 7 years as DD and know how the locker feels.
On right turns everything seems allright.

Oil is filled up, but a little contaminated (gray).

I pulled the left axle shaft and discovered nothing unusual but I missed the few splashes of oil coming out of the tube. Could there be some kind of plugging between the diff and the outer bearings?

Should I change the wheel bearings as a first step?

 

[poorboy1]

does the hub make any noise when you spin it?

 

[dieselponyexpress]

No noise with only the hub turning (axleshaft removed).

But there seems to be some unusual sounds with the axle lifted and tc in neutral. It's a little difficult to determine because of the locker noise.

I will pull the cover during the next days and inspect the diff bearings.

I have a dial indicator for setting backlash, but no wrench for the adjusting nuts. Do I need this wrench?
Any other special tools or parts required?

Other items to be serviced while I'm that deep inside?


Thanks in advance.

 

[dieselponyexpress]

ttt

 

[dieselponyexpress]

wow!
Nobody ever changed diff bearings on a 14b!!

 

[dleroy43]

Sorry would help you if I knew, just look at tech sections of truck sites like this one and start taking things apart

I have to send my truck back to CA next week so I wont be able to drive with you this summer

 

[Eric M.]

Pull your drums off and do a visual inspection of the hub berings (check the inner race of the berings). Pull the cover off and take a look at the carrier berings - these will be a little more difficult to inspect without pulling everything apart, but if they are what's making that much noise, you should see some damage.

Report back with your findings.


Eric M.