Full spool vs mini spool

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Mar 13, 2002 | 11:20 AM

KJKozak2

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From: Cleveland, WI USA

Full spool vs mini spool

Pardon my ignorance, but I'm confused about the full vs mini spool for my 9" rear end. I know what the full spool does, and by looking at it, I know how to install it (I have my stock spool disassembled). What I don't get is the mini spool? It looks like you would take out the spider gears and put the mini into the stock spool (Haynes calls it the "differential case") Is that the case? Does it work exactly the same as the full spool?

Someone selling a mini spool on ebay says they're selling it because the have to use a full spool. Can't you use either type, or does it depend on the guts of the diff?

Clearly, I'm confused, but I am relatively new to this.

Thanks!

Kevin K.

Mar 13, 2002 | 02:52 PM

72_ford

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Full spool vs mini spool

Ok, first off your rear end doesn't have a spool stock I belive what your talking about is the carrier for the gears.
A spool is used to completly lock up your axle so that both tires spin at the same rpm no matter what. The diffrence between a full spool and a mini spool is what they replace. The full spool replaces the carrier and everything while a mini spool only replaces the spiders. Hope this helps ya.

Mar 13, 2002 | 03:04 PM

KJKozak2

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From: Cleveland, WI USA

Full spool vs mini spool

Yes, that helps a great deal. I wasn't sure what to call the "stock spool". I've heard it called a carrier and my Haynes manual calls it the differential case. Either way, I appreciate the info.

Thanks!

Kevin K.

Mar 15, 2002 | 06:16 AM

DeenHylton

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From: Crooked River Ranch, OR

Full spool vs mini spool

Also a mini-spool will not handle high HP applications...but it IS better than tack welding the spiders together!

Mar 15, 2002 | 11:40 AM

marriedguy1

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From: San Antonio USA

Full spool vs mini spool

OK this is probalby going to sound like I don't know squat, and when it comes to differentials and gears I don't. When you install a mini spool do you have to remove the ring and pinion and then have them set up again or is it not that involved? Can you do this in your drive way with some regular hand tools?

Mar 15, 2002 | 12:12 PM

KJKozak2

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From: Cleveland, WI USA

Full spool vs mini spool

I'll tell you what I know (be it right or wrong). Once you have the diff off the axle, you have to take the carrier off by removing the bearing caps. Then remove the ring gear from the carrier to get the carrier apart and the spider gears out. Once you have the ring gear off, there are two little screws that hold the carrier together. I haven't taken the spider gears out since I'm replacing the whole carrier, but will tonight just out of curiosity. I did not have to take the pinion gear off, though.

The bearing caps are threaded on the inside and there are threaded cups that screw in from both ends. These cups hold the outer sleve of the bearings, and by adjusting them, you move the carrier left to right to mesh with the pinion.

I haven't reassembled them yet, so I don't know the exact method for adjusting them. If you search this site, you will find several discussions about setting pre-load and backlash.

So far, no special tools have been required, and this is the first diff I've ever seen the guts of, much less disassembled.

Hope this helps.

Kevin K.

Mar 19, 2002 | 07:34 AM

fordmaniac21

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From: Golden ,CO USA

Full spool vs mini spool

i installed a mini spool last week in my 75 with a 9" rear end and it took me about 2 hours from start to finish. the hardest part for me was getting the carrier appart. i have heard that the mini spool is still stong seems how the ford 9 inch is strong and hard to break. i am just worried about twisting my drive shaft. me and a buddy both have the mini spool in out trucks and they kick butt. i took the truck out to play in the mud this past weekend and the difference it made was awsome. in 2 wheel drive i could do stuff that i coulnd do in 4 high. let us know how it all goes.
'75 F-100 4x4, 4" lift
16x38.5x15 super swamper TSL
mini-spooled 9" rear end
390 w/ cam,headers,
and 4 barrell edelbrock

TRIED TRUE and FORD BLUE