rearend issues

[bdlight4]

This weekend I found rearend oil all over the inside of my rear rim. Not a big deal, the seal is out. I pulled the the axle, and the hub was full of slop. The truck has had a howl ever since I have owned it. I was told it was due to the miles on the ring and pinion. Guess what, it wasn't. The spindle is ground up. I used a feeler gauge and could get .015 between the bearing and the spindle. Called the local salvage yard, for $950 they will sell me a rearend out of a 2001 F250. He said it will bolt up but it has a two piece pinion. What the heck is that, he had no idea. Does anyone know what a two piece pinion rearend is? Also, Would I have to change anything else if I use the 2" spacer blocks rather than the 4"? Thanks for the help

[03_Turbo7.3]

pretty sure the rear end is the same..just bolt up and go, just make sure the bearings are good and change the oil..mine hows..im to lazy to change the bearings..will be its 4th set since new..ford just cant get it right, im looking for newer axles..so damn $$

[Fred Swanson]

Mine also has a howl.... trying to locate it, no slop when up on jack stands and trying to wiggle tires up and down in and out....how is the best way to test? are the outer bearings on the axles when you pull axles or are they in the axle tube?