Hey guys,

I picked up a 9 inch rear from a 70 F-100. It is missing the RH axle shaft. The left is a 29.5" length with 28 splines. Is the RH and LH interchangeable? I slid it in but it seemed to stop about 1/4" short from making contact with the housing flange.

 

Well, since you are going to have to get another one, it would probably be prudent to get the correct one.

Here's a good write up on the 9":

Kevinstang's Ford Nine Inch Differential Page +

 

It's been awhile since I've played with the pre-'73 9" truck axles, but I'm reasonably certain that the shafts are identical in length and should be interchangeable from side to side. I did an article many moons ago about an axle shaft swap for this housing and I know that the same length donor axle fit both sides. If it was too long, the very end of the axle shaft would come in contact with the spider gear pin in the differential. Try marking the end of the shaft with thick paint and sliding it in. Pull it back out and look for a witness mark in the paint from contact. Another thing that could keep it from going all the way in is rust, debris, burrs, etc. in the bearing bore in the end of the housing. Sometimes they are a snug fit.

 

It should be the same length. Why is one side missing? Look for damage or anything different in the RH housing compared to the left side.

Only thing I can think of is a grenaded wheel bearing that left the old outer race still in the housing. Otherwise, it's just a matter of massaging the axle into the housing until the plate will bolt in place.

 

Is it a Limited slip rear end? When I put mine in I had the same problem. I had to brace the axle that was in from being able to turn. I used a small piece of pipe I had laying around. I used it between the wheel studs on the installed axle and braced against the floor. Then you have to twist turn the axle you are having trouble with (it will feel like it is spring loaded) and it went in the rest of the way.

I hope this can work for your problem.

 

Are you sure it's from a 1970? *

1970/72: There are two different 9" rear axles. One has 'Traction-Lok' .. a 9 3/8" ring gear and 31 spline axleshafts.

Only 5 parts are the same as a 9: Pinion seal, housing gasket, pilot bearing retainer, one pinion brg & race. Everything else is different!

C8TZ4234A .. 9" Axleshaft-28 splines / 29 15/16" long-measured from inside the flange to the splined end / 1 1/4" spline end diameter / Right/Left is the same / Obsolete

Fits: 1968/72 F100 w/a 9" ring gear. I found one a these NOS in WA if you're interested.

* 1968 was the first year Ford offered 11" x 2 1/4" rear brakes. If the rear brakes are 11" x 1 3/4" ... it's a 9" from a 1957/67 F100 = B7TZ4234A .. 28 spline axleshaft~29 11/16" long / 1 13/64" splined end / Right/Left is the same.

1959/67 and some 1968 F100's. If optional Limited Slip was ordered, Ford installed Dana rear axles. The Dana 44 is the most common, but some 1963/65's have Dana 60.2's, while some 1966/68's have Dana 60.3's.

 

Yep, pretty sure its the original from that truck. The truck is def a 1970 and the housing has C5AW-4668 stamped in it. From my old days in the Ford Parts Dept that tells me 1965.

 

OMG

It's a "Bill Junior!"

 

From my old days in the Ford parts dept, this number is a casting number which cannot be cross-referenced to a part number. All I can say is: C5AW = 1965 Galaxie/LTD.

 

The first axle I got from the wrecking yard was missing the RH axle shaft, someone else needed it before I got to it. I did find a RH shaft from a 71 F-100 in another yard and they are the same length for both sides and both were 28 spline. So if there is any question in the future about this, now you know. Thanks for all the responses.