Well my 1994 E350 single wheel van has a limited slip differential that had been doing the "bang bang bang" thing. Today it banged once, then the truck quit moving. I'm assuming that the differential locking repeatedly broke one of the axle shafts.
I'm headed to the junkyard in the morning to see if they have any full floater axles that will fit. I wouldn't mind switching to a dually axle to correct the van's narrow rear track, but I'm not sure if any of the dually axles had the VSS sensor in them like mine does.
I know I would have to move the spring perches to fit my van, but if I have to change the axle anyways that's not a lot more work. I'm also going to check if my trans has a speedo gear in the tailshaft, which would let me just use the trans mounted VSS and I would just have to splice the wiring. That would let me use any axle that I can modify to fit.
I know, you're saying why not just replace the axle shaft? Because a new one will just break again because for whatever reason my limited slip thinks its a locker (I've had the axle cover off and it is indeed the factory type clutch limited slip).
Any suggestions are welcome. Vehicle in question is a 94 E350 7.3IDI, ex-ambulance used as a fairly heavily loaded service truck.
ON EDIT, I got the axle cover off. One of the small spider gears is missing (broken apart), and one of the large spider gears (side gear?) has the teeth worn off. Not that it makes any difference as far as replacing the axle. I think I can get a used axle for what it would cost to fix this one.
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1985 International rollback, 6.9L 5 speed "Li'l Big Truck"
Re: Dually axles, do they have the VSS in the axle?
not realy anwering your question but I would assume the limited slip was acting like a locker b/c the spider gears were binding, could have been caused by one missing tooth. Also I doubt you have a broken axle shaft(guess you know that since you pulled the cover), if even one of the four spider and side gears is stripped or boken the vehicle won't move. If you can get a used axle for a good price that sounds like the way to go.
Good luck,
-Rob
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'94 F250 XLT 7.3L. Turbo Diesel 4X4 "OFF ROAD" package, X-Cab, 4.10 grears, Now a 5 speed, original IP, just did injectors,"Wallace mod" 3.5" turbo outlet housing and 3.5" DP and straight piped exhaust, 113K on the clock. Repainted it black. Ispro pyro and boost gauges, turned up pump.
Re: Dually axles, do they have the VSS in the axle?
Right, I had assumed that the axle shaft had broken initially... What with the whole not moving thing....
Of course now I don't know if the "bang bang" was from the spider gears, or from the LS clutches. But it's a work truck, and it needs to roll. LS is nice, but not at all necessary. That's what I carry tire chains for.
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1985 International rollback, 6.9L 5 speed "Li'l Big Truck"
Re: Dually axles, do they have the VSS in the axle?
Looks like a swap is going to be a no-go. The boneyard has a 89 F350 dually, the axle measures 61" to the outside of the drums. My E350 axle measures about 66"....
I'm guessing the van axles are wider, which is why they are still Dana axles and not Sterling like the pickups.
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1985 International rollback, 6.9L 5 speed "Li'l Big Truck"
Re: Dually axles, do they have the VSS in the axle?
On F-series a dually axel is going to be shorter than a SRW axle. Also, the F-series and E-series have different frame rail and therefore leaf spring spacing. I had to move the axle pads on the E-350 dually ambulance axle I used in my F-250.
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Early 99 F350 CC Dually 6 speed - just acquired with only 290,000 on the odometer... Build date of 11/98. '91 F250 standard cab, 3 E4OD's in first 100k, Hypermax turbo, 99 powerstroke intercooler, 6 yes 6 speed ZF tranny installed at 100k miles!!, '99 E-350 ambulance disc brake, limited slip, 4.10 rear end 1983 Ford Ranger Diesel - 2.2l Mazda engine, custom built 5 speed using RX-7 parts, custom built ex manifold to add a variable nozzle turbo off a Mercedes, homebuilt 2 tank WVO system
1946 Dodge COE 1.5 ton in process of restoring and repowering with Detroit 4-53 turbo and Road Ranger 610. My shop
Re: Dually axles, do they have the VSS in the axle?
[ QUOTE ]
On F-series a dually axel is going to be shorter than a SRW axle. Also, the F-series and E-series have different frame rail and therefore leaf spring spacing. I had to move the axle pads on the E-350 dually ambulance axle I used in my F-250.
[/ QUOTE ]
Do you know what the width of the van dually axle is, or if it is longer or shorter than a single wheel axle?
The yard also has a E350 dually, I didn't pay a lot of attention to it because it was older and didn't have the VSS in the housing. But I'm pretty sure I can retrofit a trans mounted VSS. There is a hole in the tailshaft for one, and a rubber sleeve where the plastic gear would go on the tailshaft. I should be able to just pull the tailhousing and install a drive gear.
I think for now I'm going to pull the axle from my junk E250 and bolt into the E350 for now (direct fit, I've already had to do one) :-(
It's a semi-floater, but at least the truck will roll.
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1985 International rollback, 6.9L 5 speed "Li'l Big Truck"
Re: Dually axles, do they have the VSS in the axle?
[ QUOTE ]
On F-series a dually axel is going to be shorter than a SRW axle. Also.
[/ QUOTE ]
BS. a pickup truck bodied factory dually axle IS wider than a SRW truck
now a dually cab and chassis axle is about the same or less than a single rear wheel truck,
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lots of junk
97 f350, 7.3L, 2wd, auto, exhuast, intake, injectors, chip, IC, big gooseneck.
93 f350. 7.3L idi turbo, 2wd, 5 speed, dually. Pics
Re: Dually axles, do they have the VSS in the axle?
If anybody has any specific dimensions, that would be very helpful. My van axle is approx 66" (between outsides of drums). I should have a specific measurement later today when I have the axle out.
Right now I am swapping axles with an E250 that was destined for the junkyard. But I will need a more permanebt solution, I don't like running all that weight on a semi-float axle.
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1985 International rollback, 6.9L 5 speed "Li'l Big Truck"
Re: Dually axles, do they have the VSS in the axle?
Yep - I got that one backwards! Oops!
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Early 99 F350 CC Dually 6 speed - just acquired with only 290,000 on the odometer... Build date of 11/98. '91 F250 standard cab, 3 E4OD's in first 100k, Hypermax turbo, 99 powerstroke intercooler, 6 yes 6 speed ZF tranny installed at 100k miles!!, '99 E-350 ambulance disc brake, limited slip, 4.10 rear end 1983 Ford Ranger Diesel - 2.2l Mazda engine, custom built 5 speed using RX-7 parts, custom built ex manifold to add a variable nozzle turbo off a Mercedes, homebuilt 2 tank WVO system
1946 Dodge COE 1.5 ton in process of restoring and repowering with Detroit 4-53 turbo and Road Ranger 610. My shop
Re: Dually axles, do they have the VSS in the axle?
OK, I have both axles out. The existing E350 axle is 67.5" wide at the wheel mounting surface. The E250 semi-floater I am bolting in for temporary is 67.25" wide (I believe the modest difference is from thicker drum material on the 1 ton axle).
If anybody knows of any applications that are wider than that, I would appreciate it. An app with a VSS is preferred, but not required.
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1985 International rollback, 6.9L 5 speed "Li'l Big Truck"
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