OT: 8.8" FORD rear differential, Strange noises Options

[John]

My support vehicle 93 ford econoline, has some strange noises when I turn the rear wheels when up on a lift. Today is the first time I have had it up in the air, and I turned a rear wheel and heard horrible sounds. It sounded like a really bad bearing or something. The wheel turned kind of chunky (you could feel varying resistances as it was turned).

I pulled the diff cover off and found that the differential gears were causing the noises. I am assuming that this is NOT normal and that they are worn beyond their serviceable life.

My question to you is:

Should there be any noises when turning the raised rear wheels on a ford 8.8" rear end?

Any suggestions? I have already ordered a rebuild kit (new spider gears, etc).

Thanks for any help/suggestions you may have.

[dflesburg]

John,

Does that rear end have a LSD, if so you may want to repack those disks while you have everything else out.

Ford has two rebuild kits for the 8.8 LSD. Get the more expesive one. The one in my truck is the cheaper, my cobra is the better one.

Keep me posted on what you do to solve the issue. I am doing the f150 rear as soon as the 914 is streetable. I also have a used GT solid rear that will get built next winter to go in the cobra....

Thanks and Good Luck.