ZF bearing noise "name that tune" | ClassicBroncos.com Forum
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ZF bearing noise "name that tune"

Bitch'nBronco

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About a year ago I swapped in a new clutch with new slave (this is a zf with the slave and TOB combined). I'm getting a high pitch chirp and grinding sound in gear. The sound slows down and stops when the clutch is depressed. Since the TOB and pilot bearing are new, my guess is that the input shaft bearing on my ZF is going bad and want to get another opinion (trans has to come out one way or another).

I've never rebuilt the trans, I pulled it from an 95 f250 and have been running it for the past 7ish years, mileage is unknown but the age and likely high mileage is another reason for me to believe the input shaft bearing is going bad.
 

.94 OR

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Have you explored any TSB (technical service bulletins) for a '95 F250 with that trans?
I had an '88 F250 7.5-ZF and after I sold the truck to my dad I looked at the TSB's and it had almost every issue.
Might be a clue in there somewhere.
 

nvrstuk

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The ZF's make a TON of noise at idle... and in gear! lol

Wish I could help ya out but all I can say is it is tough to separate a few of the internals w/o special tools which we didn't have access to in '99. Probably a ton of stuff on the net about teardown and tools needed but we had a bear of a time ripping one down 25+ yrs ago.
 
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Bitch'nBronco

Bitch'nBronco

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Yeah, its not the normal ZF bearing rollover noise. This sounds like metal on metal contact, I'll try and record a sound clip. I'll look for TSB's, thats a really great idea. Thanks!
 

JB Fab

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Betcha' $5 it's the throwout bearing.... I bought an aftermarket one from Rockauto lasted about 6 months
 
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Bitch'nBronco

Bitch'nBronco

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It was quiet this evening, it would be nice if it's just the TOB. I bought what was supposed to be a genuine Motorcraft from RockAuto. I looked into the process to rebuild the ZF, that looks beyond my capability/tools.
 
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Bitch'nBronco

Bitch'nBronco

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Drove it to work this morning, I owe @JB Fab $5. I shot the TOB with a small amount of WD40 and the sound went away for about 30 seconds and then came back. Pretty sure it's cooked... sure beats rebuilding the trans
 

.94 OR

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Spare windshield washer tank with a single emitter for the TOB, filled with WD-40, and you are set.
 

DirtDonk

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Spare windshield washer tank with a single emitter for the TOB, filled with WD-40, and you are set.
Haha! You can even set up an array of tanks to do various lube jobs on the truck. Never have to crawl under that sucker again! :)
Just like an old printing press or other piece of equipment, where there was a small oil reservoir with tubes, running all over it to all the bearings and moving bits and pieces.
And then after awhile, you would end up with a coat of oil all over the underside of the bronco.
Just like they were intended to be!🙄
 
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Bitch'nBronco

Bitch'nBronco

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Haha! You can even set up an array of tanks to do various lube jobs on the truck. Never have to crawl under that sucker again! :)
Just like an old printing press or other piece of equipment, where there was a small oil reservoir with tubes, running all over it to all the bearings and moving bits and pieces.
And then after awhile, you would end up with a coat of oil all over the underside of the bronco.
Just like they were intended to be!🙄
At work, that sort of capability is referred to as "A self licking ice cream cone" lol
 
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