What started out as an oil drip from the differential turns into a rebuild.

Question? Did the old timers put a silvery looking grease in the rear end? When I pulled the 3rd member there was a quantity of silver grease in the housing. It didn't mix with the oil. Just wonder what my uncle was trying to do? He's gone and probably laughing at me!



Anyway, the pinion is quite worn and looks like I am going to learn how to rebuild a ring and pinion.

Thought since I had to undo the axles, I might as well replace the bearings and seals. Tomorrow to figure out how to get the inner shaft seal out and where to purchase the pinion and gear.

 

Besides all the bearings/races and axle seals, you will also have to replace the pinion seal (4676), crush sleeve (4662), O-ring (4669).

 

Ring and pinion come as set set. The installation kit might be extra and it will have the crush sleeve and associated parts. Personally, I'd rather get the crush sleeve eliminator and use shims like a Dana. The sliver stuff might just be from the gears

 

Could the "silvery looking grease" be the substance commonly used to check the contact pattern between the ring gear and the pinion gear?

 

The silver paste was laying beneath the oil sludge in the bottom of the casing. I could scrape off the oil sludge to get to the paste. It was nice and bright. I thought it might have been an old time additive to reduce noise. Just curious.

 

Thanks again to Bill (ret parts mgr).

 

Any 9" ford will fit. Since you have it out, you may want to consider putting a different ratio differential in it. The original is a 3.7:1. These things were made in many ratios. I put a 3.00:1 in mine and it works great behind by 292, 4 speed. I start out in granny gear, which now works like an actual 1st gear. I can easily comfortably cruse at 70 mph on the highway. 3.25:1 would also be much better.

 

not mine: Just need to confirm it is a 28 spline.

Vintage 1969 Cougar Ford 9 inch differential rear end 3rd member | eBay