donsrods
Well-known member
When I got the 8 inch Ford rear that I am using under my rpu project I knew it would need resealed, gear oil was running out of the front seal behind the yoke. I thought beyond that problem there would be nothing to do but clean it up and paint it. But when I removed it there were several chipped teeth, so now I realize it needs a new gear set too.
I have never rebuilt a rear end center section, I usually just buy a rebuilt one from one of the companies who do that and put it in. But I want to save some money on this one, plus I want to learn how to do it myself.....it can't be rocket surgery !
There are some pretty good YouTube videos on how to do a 9 incher and the 8 isn't all that much different, so I will be using those videos to guide me through it (plus any advice I can get from some of you on here, as I go along)
My plan is to disassemble the whole thing down to the bare center section housing, clean all the grease and grime off in a solvent bath, and then sand blast the front of the housing so I can paint it when done. I am going to call Summit tomorrow and order a 3.55 gear set, plus a rebuild kit that has all the bearings, seals, etc to do the job.
I will take lots of pictures along the way and post them, in case there might be something in it for someone else. It will also let the guys who know how to do this see if I am screwing up anywhere along the line. I have a dial indicator to set the preload and backlash, but will have to make some sort of jig to hold the whole thing steady while I load parts into the housing.
Worst that can happen is that I have a whining rear end that leaks like mad, and that is what I got when I purchased the last 9 inch posi from a "reputable" guy who does this all the time. Wish me luck.
Don
I have never rebuilt a rear end center section, I usually just buy a rebuilt one from one of the companies who do that and put it in. But I want to save some money on this one, plus I want to learn how to do it myself.....it can't be rocket surgery !
There are some pretty good YouTube videos on how to do a 9 incher and the 8 isn't all that much different, so I will be using those videos to guide me through it (plus any advice I can get from some of you on here, as I go along)
My plan is to disassemble the whole thing down to the bare center section housing, clean all the grease and grime off in a solvent bath, and then sand blast the front of the housing so I can paint it when done. I am going to call Summit tomorrow and order a 3.55 gear set, plus a rebuild kit that has all the bearings, seals, etc to do the job.
I will take lots of pictures along the way and post them, in case there might be something in it for someone else. It will also let the guys who know how to do this see if I am screwing up anywhere along the line. I have a dial indicator to set the preload and backlash, but will have to make some sort of jig to hold the whole thing steady while I load parts into the housing.
Worst that can happen is that I have a whining rear end that leaks like mad, and that is what I got when I purchased the last 9 inch posi from a "reputable" guy who does this all the time. Wish me luck.
Don