Rear Axle Question

[mexicanjoe]

Ok, im on the verge of having to swap out a rear diff on my '89 F-250; durn thing is banging and clanking like a D9 Cat. Currently it has a 4.10 with a 5 speed which Id like to keep that way. I need to know which year differentials will swap in, with NO problem.... So yall feel free to chime in please. I hope to have it done in 60 days and Ill try to post pics.

 

[79jasper]

Did you even try searching to see what rear axle you have?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[franklin2]

Here are the different types for a 1989 f250

semi-floating (10.25" ring gear), ABS, 3.73 ratio
semi-floating (10.25" ring gear), w/o ABS; 3.73 ratio
full-floating (with ABS), 3.55 ratio
full-floating (with ABS), 4.10 ratio
semi-floating (10.25" ring gear), ABS, 3.55 ratio
semi-floating (10.25" ring gear), ABS, 4.10 ratio
semi-floating (10.25" ring gear), w/o ABS; 3.55 ratio
semi-floating (10.25" ring gear), w/o ABS; 4.10 ratio

I picked a full floating with abs 4.10 and lots of choices came up in Texas. I was on www.car-part.com

 

[subway]

is an axle rebuild out of the question? then you know it would fit.

 

[Thewespaul]

I’m not sure how accurate that list is, I’ve never seen a first gen sterling with 3.73s, and by 89 all of them had abs. For a diesel f250 in 89 you only had a short pinion (first gen) full floating sterling with 3.55 or 4.10. Any sterling 10.25 will bolt right in, they all used the same brake line fittings and and leaf spring length, but just make sure it’s a 91 and below so you get a first gen, the later sterlings used longer pinions, they still bolt in but in some cases require some driveshaft length changes.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/129-0506-ford-1025-1050-inch-axle-tips/

 

[kuskoal]

Any Sterling, from 1988 up will bolt in. Grab one that has your ratio (preferrably out of a 92-97, has less issues) and slap it in

 

[subway]

Any Sterling, from 1988 up will bolt in. Grab one that has your ratio (preferrably out of a 92-97, has less issues) and slap it in

i think the problem with that is like mentioned by Wes, the later axles had a longer pinion which could cause the driveshaft to be to long. the driveshaft might have enough play to be fine but it is not a
guarantee

 

[franklin2]

I’m not sure how accurate that list is, I’ve never seen a first gen sterling with 3.73s, and by 89 all of them had abs. For a diesel f250 in 89 you only had a short pinion (first gen) full floating sterling with 3.55 or 4.10. Any sterling 10.25 will bolt right in, they all used the same brake line fittings and and leaf spring length, but just make sure it’s a 91 and below so you get a first gen, the later sterlings used longer pinions, they still bolt in but in some cases require some driveshaft length changes.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/129-0506-ford-1025-1050-inch-axle-tips/

He didn't say if he had a f250 or a f250hd. Some of those rearends are for f250's, and ones that are not full floaters could be 8.8 Ford rearends, or Dana 60's, I am not sure what semi-float axle they were using then. Did they make a semi-float Sterling?

They did make 8.8 8 lug rearends but I have not seen very many. Most of the 1986-dwn f250's had the semi-float dana 60.

 

[mexicanjoe]

How do i know if I have a full floating or semi-floating rear axle? post pics if possible

 

[franklin2]

How do i know if I have a full floating or semi-floating rear axle? post pics if possible

If you have that large black thing sticking out of the middle of your rear wheels, the thing with all the smaller bolts in it, then you have a full float axle.

You must be registered for see images

 

[Thewespaul]

There were semi and full floating sterlings, best way to know what you have is if you can pull your wheel off and the brake drum comes off without pulling the axle, then you have a full floater, which accounts for most sterlings which were setup this way. I may be wrong but I think the f250hd wasn’t introduced until the obs body style. I’ve never seen a semi floating sterling in a factory diesel bricknose, so I think that rules that out.

Angel if you can confirm which axle you have, I have numerous options here that would suit your truck.

 

[Jason1377]

If you have that large black thing sticking out of the middle of your rear wheels, the thing with all the smaller bolts in it, then you have a full float axle.

You must be registered for see images

Here is a picture oy rear axel it's a 1993 f250 according to your picture @franklin2 mine would be a full float is a semi float better or worse

 

[franklin2]

One type is not better or worse. It's just the full float axle setup will handle more weight. If you need a lot of hauling capacity in your truck, then the full floater is better for you.

The full floater has two tapered bearings just like the front wheels do. They support all the weight of the truck, the axle does nothing but lay in there and turn the hub to make it go. You can take all those little bolts out of that black thing and pull the axle out, with the truck still sitting on the ground.

The semi-float is more like a car axle. The axle is supporting the weight of the truck. There is one large bearing in the axle housing to support the axle, and the axle supports the weight. This is a weaker design, though it's still pretty tough and holds up to some abuse. Just ask a f150 owner who has overloaded their truck several times.

 

[Randy Bush]

Found this that is a good read. Prior to 1985, all F-250 HD and F-350 4X4’s came with the Twin Traction Beam (TTB) front axle. The F-250’s had reverse cut Dana 44’s up until 1987 with the Dana 50 optional. Most F-250 SuperCabs came with the D50 due to the added weight. The D50 became standard in 1987. During this same timeframe, the F-350 came standard with the D50 TTB up until 1985. In February of that year, the Dana 60 solid axle became standard front fare on all F-350 models and remained the standard for years to come.

Axle ratios were limited to 3.54: and 4.10:1 and transmission options were the Borg Warner T-19 four speed and Ford’s own corporate C-6 automatic. It’s interesting to note that the 4.10:1 equipped trucks had a 14,000 pound gross combined vehicle weight (GCVW) while the 3.54:1 equipped trucks were limited to 13,000 pounds for the manual; and 12,000 pounds for the automatic. All 4X4 models came with the Borg Warner 1345 transfer case.

 

[Randy Bush]

Mean to add this part too.

Unlike GM, Ford chose to only offer the diesel engine option in trucks with a gross vehicle weight (GFW) rating of 8600 pounds or greater. The standard F-250 with its lighter chassis and semi-float rear axle, and 6600 pound GVW wasn’t thought to be strong enough. This meant that only the F-250 HD and F-350 got the diesel engine option. Even though the F-250 was not identified as an HD, the higher GVW package came with full-floater Dana 61 rear axles (Dana 70's in many cases. Ed.). In February of 1985, the switch was made to the Sterling 10.25 inch ring gear rear axle. Higher capacity F-350’s came with the Dana 70 rear axle and late in 1985 the F-350 4X4 dually option was added to the lineup.