I've got a 2002 fx4 and while looking for front end noise I found a hub/wheel bearing with a good bit of play in it. It had enough play to warp the rotor so I ordered MOOG hubs, brake rotors and pads for both sides. The main noise I was trying to figure out stopped but I kept hearing a grinding sound while turning or coming to a stop and a loud cluck I could here and feel while going slow. Checked out everything I could think of that could make that noise and greased front and rear slip yokes.

I decided I'd check to see if there was any play in the drivers side CV axle so I grabbed onto it and while pulling on it I found this


Now I'm not sure what I'm gonna do about it it here's some of my options......
1)keep it as is until something breaks and avoid using 4wd until it's fixed
2)remove the CV for now and try to find a lower milage used differential
3)remove the The whole front diff and both CVs continue to drive the truck and replace all the bearings. (I'm not stupid and feel like I have a very good understanding on differentials and have access to plenty of tools, I've just never done anything to a differential in a car/truck besides just changing gear oil and gaskets but feel like I could. I don't rush things like this and absolutely hate letting anyone besides me work on the truck)
4)remove the CV for now and save up a little more cash until I can afford 4.56s for the front and rear (again I'd be most likely doing this by myself)
5)any suggestions yall have just let me know.

I really just don't know what the best route would be to take. I'm leaning towards saving up for the 4.56s just because the truck really doesn't like the 3.55s and 35s at all the trannys already overheated 3 times and only 1 was off road, one was towing which is quite difficult with this tire/gear setup, and the other was just in traffic. Please just let me know what yall think I should do.
Thanks for any help

 

I thought that fx4's where 3:73's?

Anyway, I personally would pull a scrap yard diff and put it in your truck. I'm not sure why your trans is overheating, I am on 35's with 3:55 gears and haven't had an issue (besides lack of power).

 

I'm positive my fx4 has 3.55s. I'm not sure why exactly it overheats but I know for sure it does and the lack of power sucks for sure. I don't know what im gonna do yet I just want it fixed lol

 

I've pulled a few solid axles and it is pretty easy, I've never pulled what ever kind of front axle we have but I can't imagine it would me too hard. Pulling one off a scrap truck seems like the cheapest and easiest way to go.

 

It's not really that hard at all. I had it loose to drop it down for the lift

 

I didn't even think about that lol, I did too. Kinda makes me want to go out and get axles with the stock 3.73's now. Nowhere near the ratio I want, I want the 4.10's but it is still better than 3.55's

 

You have a front stub axle bearing that has failed. It needs a stub shaft and a new bearing. More than likely cause by lack of maintance.

 

Yeah I know the bearing is bad I just don't know what the replacement on its like. I haven't had a chance to look at very good yet.

Is it replaceable from the outside or will the carrier need to be removed? I'm assuming the carrier will need to be removed to get the stub shaft and bearing out.

Also what maitnance would be the cause of that bearing to fail?

 

I don't think you'd even noticed a difference between 3.55s and 3.73s.

 

The diff needs to be removed from the truck to replace the bearing. You should replace all 3. There are 3 torrington bearings in the front axle assembly. The carrier doesnt need to be removed to replace them. But you will either need a press or a quality bearing puller to remove them.

Maintaining the front diff included changing the fluid. If it ever gets water in the axle it will destroy the torrington bearings real quickly.