I've got a 1980 Cobra, which originally had the 8.8" rear end. The PO converted the rear end to a 9". The seal on the drivers side was leaking, so I pulled it out to replace the seals and bearings. Come to find out they had sealed bearings, there is a few gouges in the shafts, and whoever removed the original bearings and seals used an oxy/accet torch and cut too deep. There is a cut that is about 3/4" long and maybe 1/8-3/16" deep.

According to a guy I work with (who has 20+ years of auto experience) the bearing wasn't installed correctly as it was. For a temporary fix, he told me to silicone everything, put it back together, and let it cure for 24 hours before letting the axle back down and letting fluid settle in that bearing.

SO, my question is.. 1) Does this sound like the axle shafts would still be OK to use, or should I just order brand new ones.. maybe a little stronger? 2) Where can I get new axle shafts? It is a 28 Spline, small bearing 5 lug. I am not 100% sure what the rear end actually came from (no tags or numbers), but I was told it was from a 70's car, so my guess is an early Mustang?

Who (online) would sell one that I can trust, and isn't going to drain my bank account? Summit Racing maybe?

Thanks in Advance
Jon

 

I guess it pays to do a little research.. haha.

I found that my axle is pre-1966. According to the site listed below, the one that looks identical to mine says:
"One of the ways many people spot a 9" rear end in the car is by looking for the hump in the center of housing, this is not always the best way, as 9" housings made prior to sometime in 1966 do not have the this large center protrusion.The one shown above is out of a 63 Galaxie, note its roundish appearance, two dimples and fill plug in housing back."

Here is the link:
http://www.kevinstang.com/Ninecase.htm

SO, do I just look for a shaft that would fit around that year of Galaxie? And still, is there an aftermarket shaft that will bolt up, no modifications needed?

See pictures if you'd like: