Rearend ID

[ttowndex]

I have an 85 LX, and am now the proud owner of a bent axle. My manual (It's only a Haynes :omg: ) lists different procedures for changing the axle depending on what size ring gear the car has.
My question is how do I know what size ring gear I have? On the tag on the axle are the following numbers:
S279D
08 N75 5D12
The book lists a 6.x, 7.5, and 8.8 inch as possible ring gear sizes. A couple of them involve pulling the diff cover, which doesn't look too difficult, just something I don't have a great deal of experience with.
Any help will be appreciated. THanks!!

[Stang6uy]

Not until 87 did ford do the 8.8 so if it's stock then you can be pretty sure it's a 7.5..........

[ttowndex]

I wondered if that N75 meant a 7.5 ring gear. I think the rear end is stock, but the previous owner hacked the car up, so it might not be. It has an 87 front clip, whale tail spoiler, etc.....but it runs good. :gt4her:
Thanks for the info!! Looks like I get to explore the diff to get the axle out....should be fun!

[CopperPony]

Seems to be just like an 8.8 when it comes to disassembly. Here is a good site with pics on how to do it.

http://www.angelfire.com/theforce/5ohcpa/cpa5ohtech001.htm

Used it when I installed the gears in my 8.8 and came in handy. Just like and 8.8 you should:

1. remove the wheels
2. remove the diff cover
3. remove the retaining pin
4. push the axles inward exposing the C-clips
5. Remove the 2 C-clips with a pair of needle nose pliars
6. pull the axles out (good time to replace axle seals and bearings in worn or leaking)
7. replace axle(s)
8. put C-clips back in
9. pull axles outward
10. reinstall cross pin (replace if bent)
11. seal cover back up with gasket or RTV
12. Fill with axle fluid and friction modifier if necessary.
13 Done

[racer99]

3.08 gear ratio
7.5 Ring gear diameter
no friction modifier needed as it
has no L in the 3.08.

[Bossnutt]

Seems to be just like an 8.8 when it comes to disassembly.

They are exactly the same when taking them apart. I've had to do it to my old 7.5, and most recently to the 8.8 we had to take out.

[ttowndex]

Thanks to all for the info!! I got my seals and bearings today. Figured I may as well change the seals and bearings on both axles, since I have to get into the diff anyway, to pull the right side one out.....

[88GT]

Thanks to all for the info!! I got my seals and bearings today. Figured I may as well change the seals and bearings on both axles, since I have to get into the diff anyway, to pull the right side one out.....
You will need a bearing puller. If you have a 13 pound slide hammer, you can make one. If ya need help on how to do that, toss me a PM :mick:
Edit...or I can just explain it here in case anyone else gives a damn. lol

[ttowndex]

don't have a slide hammer, so i guess i will check with teh local parts stores about a bearing puller....they'll loan me one.....

[88GT]

don't have a slide hammer, so i guess i will check with teh local parts stores about a bearing puller....they'll loan me one.....
Good luck with that. I tried and no one even carried one around here for sale, let alone to loan. Tool trucks were my best bet, but that's high dollar, and have one from snap on that only fits my 5 pound and wasn't big enough to do the wifes car, but it did work ok on mine. Hers were a *****, and the car was already on stands, so I needed something right away.

[ttowndex]

hhhmmmm....guess I'll look into that before I take the rear end apart....:)
If I can't get a bearing puller, I know I can get a slide hammer, so how would I go about making one?
Thanks again for the help and info!

[88GT]

hhhmmmm....guess I'll look into that before I take the rear end apart....:)
If I can't get a bearing puller, I know I can get a slide hammer, so how would I go about making one?
Thanks again for the help and info!
You will need some 3/16" flat stock, about 1-1/4" wide and cut to the length of just a little less than the outside diameter of the bearing. Round off the corners to the contour (or close to) of the bearing. Then weld a short chain to the center of one of the flat sides, (Cut one link in half and weld the 2 ends of the cut link) but make sure when you weld the chain to it, it will still go through the bearing opening. Then you can use a hook that attatches to the slide hammer to grab the chain, or temporarily weld the chain to the slide hammer. :mick:

[CopperPony]

If your talking about removing the axle bearings and you plan on removing the entire trac loc unit, I know some people have simply used a long section of good PVC pipe. Stuck it through the opposing axle side until it contacted the other bearing the hit it with a rubber mallet or hammer until it popped out.

Then you can use the old bearing or a large socket to reinstall the new one. Autozone does rent slide hammers, http://autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/pullers_universal/pullers_universal.htm

Things to remember is you remove the trac lock unit are to make sure you put the bearing caps back on the side and direction they came off.

Keep the shims in the proper order and side too.

[88GT]

If your talking about removing the axle bearings and you plan on removing the entire trac loc unit, I know some people have simply used a long section of good PVC pipe. Stuck it through the opposing axle side until it contacted the other bearing the hit it with a rubber mallet or hammer until it popped out.

Then you can use the old bearing or a large socket to reinstall the new one. Autozone does rent slide hammers, http://autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/pullers_universal/pullers_universal.htm

Things to remember is you remove the trac lock unit are to make sure you put the bearing caps back on the side and direction they came off.

Keep the shims in the proper order and side too.
That would work, but I don't think he's going to be removing the whole unit. He's just changing an axle and bearings. No need for it.

[ttowndex]

Yeah, I wasn't planning on taking the unit out...I don't have trak loc anyway, so I don't have that to worry about. Just figured since I had to get into the diff and get all the tools to swap out the right side axle that I would go ahead and change the bearing and seal on the left one, too.....Don't know that it necessarily "needs" it, but I'm betting the ones in there are originals, so it can't hurt......
I can get the puller and installer from AZ, so I'm gonna go that route....I'm looking at getting a fox GT and building a street/strip car out of it in the near future, so all the info here will be helpful for that as well, I think!
Thanks!