Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums  

Doing a gear swap correctly

August 22, 2011, 10:42:46 PM

As usual the shop is packed on Monday morning. But i had a T BIRD towed in the shop for a rear axle NOISE issue. The car was a built 347 and it just had a set of 4.10 gears installed by another shop. I took the cover off the axle and found the problem. The select shims worked their way out and the carrier bearing races were messed up. I replaced both carrier bearings and shimmed the backlash to .005 and installed STEP SHIMS. The 8.8 ford axle does not have retainers on the bearing caps. So if you use select shims they have to be stepped.  The axle was set up properly but the incorrect shims were used. The factory FORD shims are one piece and ground from solid cast iron. The caps will only hold those in because they just hold the very end of the shim in from working themselves  out. The step shims work because they hold the select shims in by the step arrangement. Never use single shims on a FORD 8.8 that does not have cap retainers. Below is a photo of stepped shims for those interested in doing the FORD 8.8 gear swap correctly. Note how the shims interlock with each other. This prevents the shim stack from working out and messing up a gear change. Thanks for listening.

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/proguns/001-64.jpg

http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/proguns/002-33.jpg

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Doing a gear swap correctly

Reply #1 – August 23, 2011, 12:10:12 AM

I got exact size I needed from the dealer 'cause I had a similar problem with shims. I think I still had to use one or two thin ones, but I made sure they were under the cap and couldn't escape. Hammered that thing in there (using wood) so there was enough preload. Never saw the stepped ones - those are nice.

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Doing a gear swap correctly

Reply #2 – August 23, 2011, 06:25:14 AM

Yes the shims are available from your local FORD STORE. BUT!!!! They cost 22 Bucks a piece. So keeping a big supply in stock is not cost efficient for some. I have a big supply of shims in stock to do the job. But people use the select shim packs and they can work themselves out. The 8.8 ford does not have provisions for a CASE SPREADER. I actually made a TOOL to spread the case on an 8.8 FORD but it is limited to the 5/16 bolts. I spread the case with the cover bolt screw holes. So installing shims properly and getting the proper bearing load is tricky on an 8.8. Also their is a tool to install shims properly. But a piece of HARD OAK can do the job NICELY. Thanks and i hope you enjoyed the post??

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Doing a gear swap correctly

Reply #3 – August 23, 2011, 07:58:52 PM

"Thanks and i hope you enjoyed the post??"


  ..........as always!    Thanks Tom, EXCELLENT info.

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Doing a gear swap correctly

Reply #4 – August 23, 2011, 09:56:02 PM

My pleasure QUICK. Thank you for your  support.

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Doing a gear swap correctly

Reply #5 – August 27, 2011, 11:46:39 PM

I have also enjoyed your posts,Tom. Would you be able to share your supplier of stepped shims and crush sleeve eliminator shims when you have time please?

 Thank you and keep the tech coming,
  Mike

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Doing a gear swap correctly

Reply #6 – August 28, 2011, 06:46:00 AM

Go to ringpinion.com  Or Randys ring and pinion. He has all the Goodies you need plus TOOLS.

http://www.ringpinion.com/Default.aspx

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Doing a gear swap correctly

Reply #7 – September 21, 2011, 08:01:41 AM

This is some good info! Thanks Tom.

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Doing a gear swap correctly

Reply #8 – September 21, 2011, 12:19:06 PM

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Doing a gear swap correctly

Reply #9 – September 22, 2011, 10:24:07 PM

Everyon

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