When changing the rear gears you need this "ford tool" to properly place the pinion in place. Is there a way around this or a place to buy/rent it?

 

I didn't use a special tool when I put mine in. Are talking about setting the pinion depth or physically putting in the pinion?

 

Setting the pinion depth

 

Assuming it hasn't been touched before if you measure the total from pinion gear head to bottom of gear with shim on the old pinionusingthe digitalmeasure indicator toget the #.Take that number and use the appropriate shim to match the total # on the new pinion. Then install the ring gear and use a magnetic based dialindicator to setup backlash within specs .012-.015 with the carrier shims you should be good.

 

You can do it without it but its time consuming to get it right...the pinion mainbering will need to pull it off without damaging it..grind the center out so it slides onto the pinion,,install the original shim ,,(To start with).Leave the crush sleeve out and tight to 12-18? inch pounds(what it takes to turn the pinion)(bearing preload)..install carrier (Need to set this around (.008 to .010)(backlash),,use markin compound and see where the gears are running,,pinion too deep,,remove some pinion shim(thickness) to shallow and add some pinion shim(thickness)....Sometimes takesseveral trys to get it dead on.....

 

Never tried it like that....bottom of the gear?the mark on the top of the pinion is the measurment from the pinion head to the axle center line...

 

I bought a Pinion set up bearing from Precision gear.
http://www.precisiongear.com/ford88kit.htm
That way I did not have to take the new bearing on and off with risk of ruining it. Or do what was mentioned above they all work

 

My Motive pinion came with the depth engraved on it. not sure if the mechanic used it or not but it seems it would have been a good idea at least for a start! mark

 

They all havean engraving for pinion depth...very important to get it right or it will whine..and wear alot quicker..than normal...

 

OOoookaayy... i think ill go with motive and the tool that makes it alot easier approach...