More Carnage-with added pics!

[mrltd]

Pulled the rear apart today. Left axle is marred on the bearing surface. Both the axle and bearing will have to be replaced. I also found the right axle was leaking also, but not nearly as bad. Sucks because the parking brake shoes got drenched in fluid and they are not cheap- 50 bucks for them. New bearings, seals, and an axle.

Also removed the traction lock to assess the condition and decide what to do with it. Clutches look good, little beat on the tabs, but the friction material looks good, going to reshim it and reinstall.

[gadget73]

I thought that stuff got replaced when you did the rear disc brakes?

[gabegt90]

ah the results of hard auto x lol hope to see it at another race soon

[mrltd]

I thought that stuff got replaced when you did the rear disc brakes?

The only thing that got replaced on that axle prior to installing in the wagon was the trak-loc. Everything else was checked and OK. It was all good. It's a lot of stress on everything with what I do.

It'll be back in business next weekend. I'm getting some shims tomorrow, although I am debating getting a rebuild kit monday and adding an extra clutch per side in the TL. Should make it work much better. I can deal with a annual rebuild of the TL until I can afford a truetrac or torsen. I also need to get some 3.27's and swap them in. Gonna need them to go any quicker.

[interceptor1985]

Is C clips bad for Auto X? I wasnt sure and perhaps someday I may have a crown victoria to play with.....LOL ....some day!

[Pirate]

The only thing that got replaced on that axle prior to installing in the wagon was the trak-loc. Everything else was checked and OK. It was all good. It's a lot of stress on everything with what I do.

It'll be back in business next weekend. I'm getting some shims tomorrow, although I am debating getting a rebuild kit monday and adding an extra clutch per side in the TL. Should make it work much better. I can deal with a annual rebuild of the TL until I can afford a truetrac or torsen. I also need to get some 3.27's and swap them in. Gonna need them to go any quicker.

Want a recommendation? Get a 9" built for it. I would grab a unit out of a late 1970's 4x4 to cut down to fit, or one out of a 351W-powered 1/2-ton late 1970's to early 1980's E-150 van. The 8.8 works great in a Mustang, but it's still a lightweight when being used in a 4000-pound car being used for autocross. Either that, or switch to a c-clip eliminator for the 8.8....if you can find one that will not interfere with your disc brakes, lol.

[P72Ford]

Want a recommendation? Get a 9" built for it. I would grab a unit out of a late 1970's 4x4 to cut down to fit, or one out of a 351W-powered 1/2-ton late 1970's to early 1980's E-150 van. The 8.8 works great in a Mustang, but it's still a lightweight when being used in a 4000-pound car being used for autocross. Either that, or switch to a c-clip eliminator for the 8.8....if you can find one that will not interfere with your disc brakes, lol.

I like this plan. My Dad has at least 12 of said rears in the basement of our home garage. There is at least another half dozen scattered around. They are not hard to find.

They aren't hard to shorten either. If you can shorten the housing (my dad used to do this in a friends shop), then you can have Dutchman shorten the axles/ respline them. Most people just buy new axles though. I have heard that the heat treating in factory axles is not that deep. It is often penetrated when the axles are resplined. That being said, my Dad's friend has had a homebuilt 9" in his 428 galaxie for a long time.

Thats a cheaper way to intall a 9" though. It takes alot of time and such, but its cheaper than having someone else build it (if you're capable of such work; not that you wouldn't be).

Being that it is such a project, I'd probably just stick with an 8.8. Also, if you are serious about your frame swap, you'd probably be better off waiting for a 9" until that happens (if thats your plan).

[mrltd]

I have considered the 9", or at least 9" ends with custom axles. I have also thought about a Quickchange. As for the eliminators, I hear constantly that they leak. The 9" will more than cause me to swap the brakes also.

The bearings, right axle, and seals were replaced in 1998-99 with only the diff being rebuilt over 2 years ago when I installed it in the wagon. So nearly a decade and over 100K on this rear isn't too bad. I have a spare axle and will debate the next setup as I go. The gears need to be changed and I really need a better diff.

I really need to build a different race car. This one is my trip/cruising car. Really need to build a stripped down car that will have no tags or street rod tags, and that will be trailered to the track.

[mrltd]

Rented a slide hammer, got the bearings out. Then went to work. Spent a few minutes playing with shims in the TL.

[P72Ford]

We used to have a DANA 70 out of a '68 M715 Jeep. That would handle anything you could throw at it. Overkill? Nah, although it might take more power to turn over (ya think?).

Only thing is, the 5.87 gear set might hurt your gas mileage a bit...

[mrltd]

Milage I'm not worried about. The gearing is an issue.

[mrltd]

Got it together yesterday. Diff isn't as tight as I want, but unless I spend money it will not be any better. Also changed the trans fluid and cleaned up a bit more of the wiring. Got rid of the standard vent and put a looped hose on a nipple instead.

[gadget73]

You re-use the axle or what? One of mine (right side, surprise surprise) has a distinct wear mark from the bearing. I don't feel like springing $150 for another axle, so its getting the $25 repair bearing. Standard bearing is $13 so its not like its a big difference. I figure that ought to get me by for a while and if it starts making noise again, I'll swap the axle and bearing. Have to remember to stock up on extra axles. All the spares on hand were later style axles which are about 1/2" longer. The actual axle tube on later style rears is about 1 inch longer too. I didn't think to measure it flange to flange tho, so there may be only a marginal overall difference.

[mrltd]

I pullled the left axle out of the original rear. It's good to have spare parts...But that's the last one I've got. Next time it needs work, it's gonna get new axles. And a new diff, a different gear set...

13 and 25? Not much difference? That's DOUBLE!

Yeah, Soctt was mentioing the axle difference... Wierd...BUT that would be nice for some added rear trackwidth.

[packman]

I pullled the left axle out of the original rear. It's good to have spare parts...But that's the last one I've got. Next time it needs work, it's gonna get new axles. And a new diff, a different gear set...

13 and 25? Not much difference? That's DOUBLE!

Yeah, Soctt was mentioing the axle difference... Wierd...BUT that would be nice for some added rear trackwidth.

I see that ya got a future racer for your wagon..................or at least a future mechanic.


Packman