Carrier Replacement
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
Carrier Replacement
I have a 97 4x4, 4.6L, with the 8.8 open differential. I can purchase a ford LS from summit racing for $240.00 and I am wondering what all is involved in this job.
I have seen a rearend rebuild done on tv in about 18 seconds with tv editing.
Can anyone give me a walkthrough of their real world experience with doing this job?
Thanks
I have seen a rearend rebuild done on tv in about 18 seconds with tv editing.
Can anyone give me a walkthrough of their real world experience with doing this job?
Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 736
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati
It should be as easy as taking off the cover, removing the c-clips, pulling the axles out to clear, remove the bearing caps (remember which is which), pull out the carrier, add ring gear to ls carrier, and reverse.
There will be some other headaches along the way. I STRONGLY recommend the BadShoe Productions video to go with this. It is about $36 and worth every cent. There are a few of us around here that have used this guy and he has a great reputation.
Mike
There will be some other headaches along the way. I STRONGLY recommend the BadShoe Productions video to go with this. It is about $36 and worth every cent. There are a few of us around here that have used this guy and he has a great reputation.
Mike
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,350
Likes: 4,384
From: SW VA
Messing with the rear end is a job for professionals. Everything must be shimmed to near perfect for the Ring & Pinion to have a good contact patch. If not, they can wear out in a very short time, or even grenade...locking up your rear end while on the highway is a sure way to go 6ft under
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
A LS is not even close to locking it. Generally you have a tolerance of .005 on the gears and its not extremeley difficult to get it to .002
Plus I will only be affecting the ring gear and the pinion should stay in place without moving I believe.
It seems like it shouldn't be too bad since im just putting in a new carrier with the exact same dimensions as the factory.
How does the ring gear stay on the carrier? What keep sit from just spining aound the carrier?
Plus I will only be affecting the ring gear and the pinion should stay in place without moving I believe.
It seems like it shouldn't be too bad since im just putting in a new carrier with the exact same dimensions as the factory.
How does the ring gear stay on the carrier? What keep sit from just spining aound the carrier?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 736
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati
If your tolerances are off it will lock the rear end no matter if it is open, ls, or locker. That is not a question about the carrier but rather the mechanical movement of the ring and pinion.
You have a lot of questions and answers here WILL do more harm than good if you have never taken one of these apart.
I will again recommend the BadShoe video and doing your homework with that before moving one bolt. I am rebuilding mine because Ken's info in that 8.8 rebuild video covered everything that I did not know.
Mike
You have a lot of questions and answers here WILL do more harm than good if you have never taken one of these apart.
I will again recommend the BadShoe video and doing your homework with that before moving one bolt. I am rebuilding mine because Ken's info in that 8.8 rebuild video covered everything that I did not know.
Mike
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 409
Likes: 1
I dont know about your axels but my axel shafts have retainers at both ends of the axle housing, right behind the drum break assembly. I had to take the wheel, and the drum off, then the flange that the lugs set into has a hole that is bigger then the lug holes. through this hole I could get to the four bolts that held the retainer on. with this off I was able to slide the axel shafts out of the housing, then the rest of the rear end will come out when you take the 10 or whetever bolt out of the front of the mellon. the axel shafts have a berring pressed onto them at the wheel end and it is a tight fit in the axel housing, so some effort is required to get the shafts out.
hope this helps
hope this helps
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
Brad, you have a very unique 8.8" axle then. Every 8.8" axle I've ever worked on (quite a few) has the axle shaft retained with just the c-clips in the center section. I've never heard of nor seen this outboard retainer you're talking about.
zman - listen to mikeyswood. The man knows what he is talking about. If you don't know what's involved in setting up a ring & pinion, you are in way over your head.
zman - listen to mikeyswood. The man knows what he is talking about. If you don't know what's involved in setting up a ring & pinion, you are in way over your head.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 409
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Thats cool Andy, I am not saying that anyone here is wrong, I just know from personal experiance and listening to people tell me the same thing about taking the melon apart. It would not be the first time I was told my truck was wierd. I do agree you must pay attention to how this comes apart and rebuild it the same way it comes apart. It isnt the hardest thing in the world to work on, so it just depends on your mechanical prowness. As for you andy I wish I had a picture of my axel to show you what I am refering to, that way you can then say you have heard of what I am talking about. have a good day!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
I'd love to see pics of that! Ford has done some weird stuff over the years, that's for sure. One thing for certain about Ford and their axles is that nothing is certain.
I've learned from this forum that Ford made an 8 lug 8.8" axle used in some early 80's E-250's, and they also used Dana 44's as rear axles for some F-100's and F-150's in the late 70's. Neither of which I ever would have guessed or suspected.
I've learned from this forum that Ford made an 8 lug 8.8" axle used in some early 80's E-250's, and they also used Dana 44's as rear axles for some F-100's and F-150's in the late 70's. Neither of which I ever would have guessed or suspected.