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Gold Hills Posse 4×4 Club · Folsom, CA

Shop recommendations???

  1. richfroh Subscriber
    #127 Jun 2017, 3:38 PM

    I am looking for shop recommendations to look at my front diff. There is an extreme amount of play in the diff as well as a small amount of play in the axle CV joints and axle to hub splines adding up to enough play that I shouldn't be using 4WD until I get it fixed. It's about 45 degrees of driveshaft rotational play. When my rear driveshaft was out for repair, I had to drive it in front wheel drive and it made a severe clunk that you could feel through the truck every time the transmission downshifted or when shifting into forward or reverse. I'm hoping it is simple like a crush sleeve that got crushed more causing gear backlash, and that no further damage is done. Any suggestions on a shop that knows differentials well?

  2. Gregulator Member Joined: February 2012
    #228 Jun 2017, 5:03 AM

    Jeff and I are fans of Sean at River City Differentials in Rancho Cordova.  He's been doing gears for over 20 years.

    Address: 11366 Amalgam Way # F, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

    Phone: (916) 852-7109

    Um...what?
  3. kris_olof Trailmaster Joined: October 2015
    #328 Jun 2017, 7:51 AM

    That sounds to me like some missing ring gear teeth.  Front IFS diffs arent something people typically modify so I would pick a shop with a good reputation who only does diff work and probably not go with a general shop.  The real question is since you are already going to be paying for them to get into your diff, do you take the time to swap gears and a locker or is it time for the solid axle swap?

  4. Brian Member Joined: February 2020
    #428 Jun 2017, 10:51 AM
    kris_olof said That sounds to me like some missing ring gear teeth.  Front IFS diffs arent something people typically modify so I would pick a shop with a good reputation who only does diff work and probably not go with a general shop.  The real question is since you are already going to be paying for them to get into your diff, do you take the time to swap gears and a locker or is it time for the solid axle swap?

    I knew you would comment and say solid axle swap lol.

    What about river city differential? Oh I see river city has been mentioned!

    W6JLU
  5. richfroh started this Subscriber
    #528 Jun 2017, 11:08 PM
    kris_olof said That sounds to me like some missing ring gear teeth.  Front IFS diffs arent something people typically modify so I would pick a shop with a good reputation who only does diff work and probably not go with a general shop.  The real question is since you are already going to be paying for them to get into your diff, do you take the time to swap gears and a locker or is it time for the solid axle swap?

    It's not missing teeth. It rotates smoothly through a full revolution of the ring gear. It just has excessive free play that causes it to clunk/bang when loading or unloading the gears.

    As far as the solid axle swap, not happening (yet). Even though it will be the perfect time to install a locker, I don't think that will be happening either right now. I just bought a new motorcycle and don't have funds for a locker.

    My research shows that the Ford 8.8 uses a crush sleeve to set the pinion preload. I'm hoping I loaded the gears and put more crush on the sleeve resulting in excess play,  and resetting it with shims (not a crush sleeve) will be a more permanent fix. I'm also hoping the gears have not been damaged.

  6. Gilbert & Betty Member Joined: September 2014
    #629 Jun 2017, 2:18 AM

    sounds like the washers are worn and that's causing a backlash problem that's causing your clunking noise.

  7. kris_olof Trailmaster Joined: October 2015
    #729 Jun 2017, 9:14 AM
    richfroh said I just bought a new motorcycle...

    First a truck, then that VW in your garage, then you tell us you restore airplanes, now a motorcycle... with this many hobbies its a wonder you ever get time on the trail!

  8. Mike G Member Joined: October 2016
    #829 Jun 2017, 1:31 PM
    kris_olof said
    richfroh said I just bought a new motorcycle...

    First a truck, then that VW in your garage, then you tell us you restore airplanes, now a motorcycle... with this many hobbies its a wonder you ever get time on the trail!   

    Ha!

    Mike G
  9. richfroh started this Subscriber
    #929 Jun 2017, 2:38 PM
    kris_olof said
    richfroh said I just bought a new motorcycle...

    First a truck, then that VW in your garage, then you tell us you restore airplanes, now a motorcycle... with this many hobbies its a wonder you ever get time on the trail!   

    I admit I have a lot of hobbies (no I am not giving any of them up) but the new motorcycle is to replace my old one that I pretty much wore out. I put 129,000 miles on it and it is tired. You forgot the project sailboat, the radio control airplanes and the airplane I am building at home.

  10. Guy and Lynda Member Joined: May 2015
    #1029 Jun 2017, 11:31 PM

    Rich!  I am not sure why you say you have a clunk in your truck! I have been at my house this entire time. I have not been in your pick up! LOL

  11. Josh Subscriber
    #1130 Jun 2017, 9:17 AM
    richfroh said

    I admit I have a lot of hobbies (no I am not giving any of them up) but the new motorcycle is to replace my old one that I pretty much wore out. I put 129,000 miles on it and it is tired. You forgot the project sailboat, the radio control airplanes and the airplane I am building at home.  

    Sounds like a good life to me!

    Good luck with the Ford Repair.

    Maybe the next hobby will be a Jeep! 👏

    Semper Fi
  12. JohnDF Member Joined: July 2003
    #1230 Jun 2017, 10:10 AM
    Josh said   Maybe the next hobby will be a Jeep! 👏  

    Fingers crossed 😈

    I used to wheel a lot. . .
  13. Gregulator Member Joined: February 2012
    #133 Jul 2017, 12:20 AM

    Don't listen to the haters Rich, keep driving the Ford!  I love seeing you take on obstacles other rigs half your size bypass.

    Um...what?
  14. JohnDF Member Joined: July 2003
    #143 Jul 2017, 1:41 AM
    Gregulator said Don't listen to the haters.  

    We don't hate full sized rigs, we just LOVE Jeeps 😍

    I used to wheel a lot. . .
  15. richfroh started this Subscriber
    #153 Jul 2017, 3:55 PM
    Gregulator said Don't listen to the haters Rich, keep driving the Ford!  I love seeing you take on obstacles other rigs half your size bypass.

    Don't worry, the Ford is not going anywhere! If I were to get a different wheeling rig (which I am not) it would need to be something more uncommon than the Jeep. I've always liked the early Bronco, or even the Scout. The early FJ40 would work. How about a 1948 Dodge Power Wagon on 40's? I was thinking about putting a Ford Ranger body on a F350 shortened chassis. An old Jeep Gladiator pickup would be cool. Ok, I'll just keep my F150 and upgrade it over time.

  16. Mike G Member Joined: October 2016
    #165 Jul 2017, 8:44 AM
    richfroh said 
    Don't worry, the Ford is not going anywhere! If I were to get a different wheeling rig (which I am not) it would need to be something more uncommon than the Jeep. I've always liked the early Bronco, or even the Scout. The early FJ40 would work. How about a 1948 Dodge Power Wagon on 40's? I was thinking about putting a Ford Ranger body on a F350 shortened chassis. An old Jeep Gladiator pickup would be cool. Ok, I'll just keep my F150 and upgrade it over time.  

    All those sound like a good idea but till then have fun with what you have. It's always easier to modify what you have then to buy a new rig and then modify that

    Mike G

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