My 1989 Lincoln 557 cobra jet project in progress

[johnunit]

Mind if I ask how much those Moser axles ran you? Beefy.

[lincolnlarry]

All Moser custom 31 spline c-clip axels are $295 a pair.

[sly]

considering stock replacements are about $125 per... that's a good price.

[johnunit]

considering stock replacements are about $125 per... that's a good price.

yeah, sounds like a case of "might as well upgrade" even if you don't need it.

And of course with a 557...this is one car that needs it.

[lincolnlarry]

Got the housing back from the welder's shop.

Did some wire brushing and sanding. Keeping my fingers crossed for 40degrees tomorrow to do the cleaning inside and out. Can't have the torpedo heater running with those volatile fumes.

[lincolnlarry]

Got the rear painted and assembled it to check gear pattern. I smiled when the backlash was 0.012. The pattern was another matter.

Hindsight being 20/20 it bugs me that I didn't put a 0.030 pinion shim in. I thought about it but decided to put in the 0.027 that was in it to begin with. Since I'm no expert, I'm thinking about trying the 0.030 and seeing if that gets me there. I have said before give me a 50/50 choice and I will choose the wrong one every time!

[turbo2256b]

Havent keped up with the complete thread but a heads up. The weakest point of the rear end are the bearing caps are you using the stock ones?

[lincolnlarry]

Havent keped up with the complete thread but a heads up. The weakest point of the rear end are the bearing caps are you using the stock ones?

Sorry to say just the stock caps. The only help is the aluminum cover/brace.

2nd try was a little better. I think it's about half way there. Wish I knew more about how much to change shim to get a desired effect. Thinking about going up by another .003 to total .033 and see where I'm at???

[Stealthlead]

There is so much win in this thread I don't even know what to say except... awesome job!!! This is what I love seeing done with boxes

[pantera77]

Sorry to say just the stock caps. The only help is the aluminum cover/brace.

2nd try was a little better. I think it's about half way there. Wish I knew more about how much to change shim to get a desired effect. Thinking about going up by another .003 to total .033 and see where I'm at???

[ATTACH=CONFIG]38625[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]38626[/ATTACH]

That looks better. That's about what the 4.10's I put in my 88 came out at (actually they were probably a touch worse).



At least with the whole axle out of the car tearing it apart again isn't as bad...

[lincolnlarry]

Well, here is number 3.

Still not enough. I'll try one more time at .036 Ugh! I just want the drive side closer to the toe and root.

[marquisman]

Pretty damn close though. I always hated setting up gears, even in the marine side of things. That's why I don't even try anymore lol.

[lincolnlarry]

I think the 3rd setup at .033 is the best.

This is the 4th try at .036 it seems to have gone too far.

[lincolnlarry]

This is at .032 pinion shim. The backlash was reading .015



Moved the carrier .003 to get backlash to .013. I wanted to get to .012 but those shims were not available. Stacking them just didn't work as well as getting the oem shims in one piece. I was shocked when they did have these sizes in stock at my local dealer. This is the final marking. I think pinion at .031 with backlash at .012 might be perfect but I just cant do it again. It got quicker and easier each time but not enough to do it all over again! lol



Much happier with the brakes. They went on quite well. Everything is lining up perfectly. Made me happy since they sat for a few years in a box.

[86VickyLX]

What calipers are those?