Bobert

Im rebuilding my rear end, got it out today, not putting it back together until i get the rear end boiled. Im going from the stock 2.73's to 3.55s, rebuilding the carrier, clutches and such. Also got new upper and lower Lakewood control arms. But they did not come with the bushings for the rear end housing. Im not sure if this is correct, or if i need to purchase new ones. The old ones are fried.

Question 1: What is the starting shim i should put between the pinion bearing and the pinion to get a good pattern? It will save the time of taking it apart and putting it back in.

Question 2: Where can i pick up a decent set of busing for the upper control arms where the control arms connect to the trailer!

Thanks!

mjr46

starting shim??? lol.........have you ever done this before??? you want a starting point , use the stock shim

sn95_331_GT_ yellow

^^ beat me to it.

use the shims that came out and go from there...

tohoopty

more pics of car

dillon1340

you can get the bushings pretty much anywhere. they're a pain to replace. i used the tool from maximum motorsports and that worked great. a ball joint press might work too. both 8.8's i've done, my mustang and my explorer, i used the stock shims to start and both came out spot on. i used ford racing gears.

tohoopty

the bushings are easy to change in the housing.just use a drill bit and drill out the edge of the bushing.and once its out clean out the housing and install new bushings.mine just pressed in with my hands.i did mine in the car and it was very easy to do

Bobert

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3044397

some old pics are here

I was just curious on the starting shim so i didnt have to keep guessing. And pulling it out ect ect.

And no ive never done this b4 so i gotta ask.

The housing is completely empty, getting dipped some time this week.

Where should i pick up these bushing at?

dillon1340

you didn't replace with factory type bushings then. the bushing is bonded to the shell so that has to come out; and you have to preload the suspension before tightening the bolt. i wouldn't recommend poly bushings for the upper arms.

we b gpn

good luck with the install. how often are newbies successful in installin gears? i have been thinking of giving it a shot also. worst case i could bring it to the mech if i cant get it right

dillon1340

i had no problems the first time i did a set. it's not as scary as people say but you do have some special tools like an inch pound torque wrench, and a dial indicator w magnetic base. and know how to read the pattern from the compound.