Rear Axle & Driveshaft installation, Pinion Pre-load?

Wes_T · 11-08-2009, 07:39 PM

I'm getting ready to install an aluminum driveshaft and "new" Take-off 8.8 rear axle. After reading many posts and how to's on the forum I had planned to do it all myself until I got this message from the driveshaft company:

"You do know that changing the pinion flange will require a "professional" or someone who is familiar with setting up pinion bearing preload"

Well I didn't know that, I don't know what that means? Did any of you who did the swap yourself have any trouble mating the new driveshaft and rear axle? I know I need the Pinion flange and had planned to buy the one from SpeedConcepts:

http://www.speedconcepts.net/product...roducts_id=757

To be clear I will be installing a 8.8 rear axle with 3.73 gears, and a new one piece aluminum driveshaft, and the Cobra pinion flange, all this on to a 2005 V6 Auto.

Thanks for any tips.

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my first mustang · 11-10-2009, 03:05 AM

STAY AWAY! from speedconcepts.com!!! Its a crap shoot whether you get your parts or not. I found that out last year, had a lot of hassle to get my money back. All you get is voice mail if you have a problem. If you want a 8.8 takeoff rear axle go to newtakeoff.com and get the axle ratio you want, just buy one with the V6 flange already installed. As far as the preload goes if the rear axle already has the V6 flange installed you don't have to worry about preload. Pinion preload is set when the axle, gears & flange are first assembled. I just took off the stock driveshaft and bolted in the new Shaftmasters aluminum one. Half hour job. The takeoff 8.8 is also a fairly easy "remove and replace" job. But have a couple of friends handy, its heavy and bulky. You MIGHT also need a brake caliper piston tool(around $20.00 at local parts store)to "push & turn" the rear brake caliper piston back in. Also do you have a tuner? You will need it to reset the speedometer calibration OR go to dealer to have it done. If you don't have a tuner/cai this is the time to get them too. She will RUN real good now! Hope this helps.

my first mustang · 11-10-2009, 03:10 AM

Sorry thats SPEEDCONCEPTS.NET!!! Still a bad place to buy from.

JimC · 11-10-2009, 07:02 AM

I had a shop do the flange swap so that I would be sure to have the correct preload. If it is wrong you will bind things up.

If you haven't ordered your new driveshaft yet though just have them set it up for the 8.8 rear end. You don't need to do the flange swap on the pinion end then and it will bolt up like a GT does.

Wes_T · 11-10-2009, 10:54 PM

Thanks for the replies, and sorry to be such a dummy, I'm trying to learn as I build up my car.

So if I buy the axle from Newtakeoff, it comes with the Cobra flange:

http://www.newtakeoff.com/mustang_v6...373_ratio.aspx

With the flange already installed, all I need to do is bolt up the aluminum V6 drive shaft from shaftmasters.

http://www.shaftmasters.com/mustang-...8-v605086.html

Does that sound right to you guys?
I guess the part that was screwing me up was, without the pinion flange it fits a GT driveshaft, the flange is the difference?

Anyway thanks for your help.

my first mustang · 11-10-2009, 11:53 PM

Yes. With the GT flange the rear axle only fits a GT and with a V6(Cobra)flange it fits a V6. Make sure you get a V6 aluminum driveshaft and everything bolts easily together.

Fred Malibu · 11-10-2009, 11:55 PM

I keep dreaming about the 8'8 rearend.. and I realize I dont have $1000 to spend