hi all, my father has a 88 ranger 4x4 STX with the 2.9l. automatic, and the rear bearings are bad. now me being a toyota man myself i have never ripped in to one of these axles. although i think i could figure it out i would like to get as much info on the subject as i could.
what kind of axle is it? an 8.8 right?
is it a c-clip axle?
how do i replace the bearings? has anyone done a write up that might help me?
thanks for any and all help
Brent

The rear is a 7.5" c-clip type axle, unless it has been swapped. Which bearings are you changin', the axle bearings, or the carrier bearings? The axle bearings require a slidehammer, or equievelent, and the carrier bearings require a puller, or press, depending on what you have..

Brian--

i am going to be replaceing the axle bearings. thanks for the info this will help alot. you wouldnt happen to have a pic of the type of end i should use for the slid ehammer would you, or is it just a standard bearing puller end. cause i will have to borrow it from a friend.
thanks
Brent

a slide hammer you just need a L shapped head, or you could use a pry bar and pop them

Judging by how old the truck is I bet the axles are worn pretty good where the bearing rides. I think you can get axle saver bearings from napa that makes the bearing ride on a slightly different spot then before so the wear wot be such a big deal.

Natt

What everyone else said.

Easy to do,
Pull diff cover
remove x-pin retaining pin
rotate crosspin so flat side faces axle shaft
push axle inward
remove c-clip
pull axle
pull axle seal and bearing

Slide hammer is nice to pull the bearings, but not at all necessary. As mentioned above, a prybar or something similar will work.