What are some pretty straight swap out options for the Ford nine-inch in my F100. Losing the battle with the rear end on getting the axle out of one side. So interested to know what other options I have that will more or less bolt into place.
My last option at this point is to have the truck hauled to a local mechanic who thinks they can get it out. But would like to know my options. Closes salvage yard has no Ford nines.

 

Go to the parts store and rent a slide hammer to pull the stuck axle with. Cheaper and easier than replacing an entire rear end assembly.

 

Five pound slide hammer did not budge it.
Removing the other shaft and using a bar and a sledge to beat it out from the other side did not budge it. Have applied some heat, enough to melt the Por 15 on the back side of the bearing while attempting to pull/push/beat it out.
Now considering other options.

 

Inside the differential are a pair of small pinion gears (spider gears --not to be confused with the driving pinion gear). Some differentials will have 4 pinion gears inside the differential.

At any rate, there will be a pinion shaft that runs through the differential that these pinion gears ride on. With one axle out, you cannot run a bar through the housing from the other side to push the other axle out. If you were banging on something inside the housing, it wasn't the splined end of the stuck axle.

You would have to have been hitting against the pinion shaft. Depending on how much force was being used, the shaft my be damaged or bent now.

 

Does the axle remain attached to the truck, or do you have it off?

If off, or if you can take it off, are the gears still in place? With a Ford 9, there's no cover, right? You take off the front, with the driveshaft?

In any event, what happens if you take out the other side (done) and the gears, tip it on end, and use gravity to lubricate the shaft, bearing, and inside of the housing?

Of course, if it's THIS stuck, it seems likely there's damage to the housing and the axle, right?

There are some threads on here about using Crown Vic axles on these trucks.

Also, I wonder, if you're not married to your wheels and front suspension, is there any reason you couldn't borrow from a 250, later 150, or an Econoline? I don't know the answer, just throwing that out there for comment.

 

I disagree. On the Ford nine inch the axles butt up against each other (at least I am told that by several others who have worked on these vehicles). I could clearly see the end of the driver's side axle when shining a flashlight from the other end.

I am married to my front end for now. I spent too much effort putting disc brakes on the front to dump that setup now so changing to a heavier duty setup offers no option for me.

 

OK, well F150's and E150's had 5 lug rear axles - not sure if the spacing is right.

Same should go for station wagons, Crown Vics, and other frame-and-body RWD cars. Assuming the lug spacing is right and gearing is right, there should be loads of options for rear ends. Even if the gearing is wrong, you can always change the innards.

 

I'm currently at work and can't post a pic of what I'm describing. At any rate, there is a pinion shaft (approx. 5/8" in diameter) that runs perpendicular between to the splined ends of the axles.

I'll try to post a pic of an actual differential for you when I get home to show you what I'm talking about.

 

That will be scarey if that is the case. I know I will have a couple of old-timers arguing me on the idea that the axle ends on a ford nine do not butt together.

 

Passenger Cars, Bronco's & Econolines with 9 inchers have specific right & left axle shafts, while F100/150 9" axle shafts are the same right & left.

1968/72 F100: Two different 9" rear axles. One has 28 spline axle shafts, t'other has a 9 3/8" ring gear, 31 spline axle shafts and Traction-Lok.

Only 5 parts are the same 9 vs 9 3/8: Housing gasket, pinion seal, pilot bearing retainer, one pinion bearing and race. EVERYTHING else is different!

No Crown Vic came with a 9 inch. LTD downsized in 1979, name changed to Crown Victoria in 1982.

 

Can't believe I forgot to include Broncos.

Yeah, I wasn't sure about the cars. Would the rear-end from any car model be useable? Station wagons?

 

... None ...

 

That sucks.

So here's a question: what is the purpose of an off-center differential?

From an engineering perspective, isn't it easier to have everything run right down the middle? Makes balancing the vehicle easier, fewer changes in angle to account for, etc.

Right?

 

Look at part #4211 in NumberDummy's illustration.

 

I believe it is scrap metal now, B F H is not the best way to do it some times.


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