Got some 8.8 questions.....

[no1sirbutler]

I am posting this under my friend Butlers account... I will plan to sign up in the next couple days... BUt I am stumped right now, and need some advise/insight/direction....

90 Mustang GT 31 Spline Axles. Took the Auburn Pro out because it was not gripping any longer. Switching over to the Ford Trac-Lock (31 spline Explorer) diff with Carbon discs just to make it easier when to fix when it wears out.

I had a friend helping me on it, and he has left me hanging in the cold for about 3 weeks now. I guess I know why now...

Somehow something was not set up right when the new bearings were pressed on, and the ring gear bolts (3) are smashed and mushroomed. The sides of the carrier (where the shims sit) have indentation/gouges pressed into them somehow. And worst of all my Shim holders (lack of better term) and freakin scrapped and gouged like they were chiseled on... Other issues as well, but just trying to keep my blood pressure under control.


So now I am trying to start fresh, and I have a few questions...

1. Do the Carrier Shims ride against the bearings so that a marked up edge of the carrier itself will not create and issue?




2. If 2-3 of the ring gear bolts were smashed like a mushroom after being torqued down what are the odds that it bent/tweaked or just trashed the carrier OR ring gear???







3. I had a shim on each side of the Carrier that was a 2 piece shim, and the real thin shims went inside the 2 pieces that locked together. Now one is egg shapped and both are gouged up. Does Anyone know where to buy those? they are just 2 pieces that fit together to work as one.... Much easier than just stacking shims...

Sweet setup for shims until they got fvcked beyond belief...



And the bad one...

[Black Vert]

1. Do the Carrier Shims ride against the bearings so that a marked up edge of the carrier itself will not create and issue?

2. If 2-3 of the ring gear bolts were smashed like a mushroom after being torqued down what are the odds that it bent/tweaked or just trashed the carrier OR ring gear???

The shims sit against the bearing race, I dont see that marked up edge on the carrier being a problem, just cosmetic damage.

Its looks as if the bolts were hammered on when removing the ring gear, I would definitely replace the bolts. Torque the ring gear to spec, check the runout with a dial indicator when installed back in housing to see if there is any runout. I wouldnt think so, but wouldnt hurt to check.

As far as the side shims I've always used the solid side shims from Ford, but you gotta know the sizes you need. Yours are fubar, need to replace. Have never seen the two piece shims, but seems like a good idea.

[Kuneff]

^thanks for your input.... So what is the best route??? Set it all up and then pull out the shims, mic them and order the exact size shims from Ford?????

[wick]

No. Just get a shim kit from raytec or wherever. You may need to add more to get good pre-load on the side bearings.

[Kuneff]

I have a shim kit that came with the rebuild kit... I can use those, but wouldn't it be easier to order one shim for each side once we figure out how much thickness we need???? for the sake of taking it apart later and having less mess and headaches later?

[wick]

I have a shim kit that came with the rebuild kit... I can use those, but wouldn't it be easier to order one shim for each side once we figure out how much thickness we need???? for the sake of taking it apart later and having less mess and headaches later?

Nah, you will be ok. I only use the ford shims when I can. I have a decent stack of them I collected over the years. If you really want to though you could. I personally don't know th carrier dimensions an where exactly the ring needs to be to attain good contact and. 010 backlash.

[no1sirbutler]

btw...this thread was for Kuneff....I let him make it under my screenname until he joined.

[Kuneff]

^you da man Butler.....

Thanks again!!!

[Kuneff]

Got some good news... A local shop, Trinity Truck repair... A shop specializing in Rear Ends and a die hard Ford guy is going to put my mess back together.... Dropping it off Tuesday evening... $50. :D :D :D :D


Oh yeah... and he used the 2 piece shims, so they all will stay locked in together. :D