Need some info/instruction to help me set-up some new gears and carrier in a 86 F150 8.8 rear end for the first time. Is there a web page ect to show how? Can I do it without a dial indicator?

Clayton

 

I tried it without a dial indicator once. When I drove the whole truck shook. Took it apart and did it right. You need some dye too. The manual should show how to do it. Good luck.

 

I have done 2 sets of gears, and let me tell you, the proper tools are pretty important. I didn't have dye, so I used grease. It was a little harder to see, but it worked. I would get a book. That is probably the most important tool. My factory manual had "acceptable" pattern pictures. I got lucky and it only took 3 times. If you have never done gears, find someone who has to show you. It is pretty easy once you have done it, but confusing the first time. The factory manual tells everything, and I mean EVERYTHING. If you can't find a book that doesn't give a good description, find a friend who can. It is vital. That said, go for it!

 

There is a guy on ebay (badshoe is his name) who sells videos on how to setup the 8.8 (just do a search for "8.8 rebuild video"). It's really not that difficult, just hard to figure out on your own. Technically, you don't NEED any special tools, maybe an inch lb torque wrench.

I've done 3 setups on the 8.8, and the only time you really need tools is when you just have a bare bones housing which doesn't already have parts in it. 9 times out of 10 you can re-use the same size shim on the pinion gear and it will come out right (as far as the pinion depth). Sometimes you have to play with the carrier shims to get the right pre-load and backlash when using a different carrier. If you re-use the same carrier, most of the time you can re-use the original shims and you'll be fine.

Basically what I do is trial and error with the carrier shims. I keep playing with the shims until I get the carrer set right with a little bit of pre-load. I'll run a pattern and check it out, doesn't take too long. The special tools just make it so that u can get it in 1 shot. So far I've nailed it 3 times in a row w/o special tools. You'll know in the tooth pattern if it's setup incorrectly or not.

 

Good points. Yeah, if you haven't taken it apart, get the shims before you have them off and scattered everywhere. Also, the pinion has markings such as +2 or 0 or -4... You subtract or add the new ones from the old one and that will help you set pinion depth without too much heartache. As far as the inch pound torque wrench, I just "felt it" using how tough it was to turn it with a ratchet. The weight of a ratchet will almost turn the pinion by itself. Maybe one finger slightly helping it. He's right, the proper tools are nice but not absolutely necessary. Oh, one other thing. I posted this a few weeks ago, but will pass it on now. If you don't buy a shim kit but need a few thousanths, fold and crush down a piece of tin foil. Then cut it carefully. I couldn't stomach the $47 kit for a few shims, so I did this for my pinion bearing preload.