Rearend Took a Dump. How Bad Is It?

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Creedmoor

Recovering Fordaholic
Joined
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I first noticed something wasn't right when I turned corners from a stop and it sounded like I had run over a big pop can. Didn't know what to make of it. Till yesterday. Turning right from a stop sign, there were these two SEVERE bangs from the rear of the car. I thought at first the guy behind me had hit me. Drove home normally. Popped the diff cover and found this....

I don't know much at all 'bout car rearends, but this can't be good. What to do? Replace whole rearend, just the roached gears, have it rebuilt. I have exactly 127 miles on the 904 I just learned how to rebuild. Was really hoping to drive more before the next major issue. Oh, car is '68 B'cuda FB. Rearend is a 2.76 pegleg 7 1/4.

Please advise.
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Creedmoor said:
Oh, car is '68 B'cuda FB. Rearend is a 2.76 pegleg 7 1/4.
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The easiest thing, IMO, would be to find another 7 1/4 and swap it out. IF you have the funds, find an A body 81/4 or 8 3/4 and do the swap.

7 1/4 rears should be easy to find, and relatively inexpensive.If you were close to me, I would say drive on over, and grab the one I have.

Maybe place an ad on here in the parts wanted section. Maybe someone close to you has one.
 
Magnet any metal out, buy/install a spider gear kit and test drive it. Straight forward repair.
 
Well, "it ain't good".
 
Coronet 500, - No special shims, crush sleeves, pinion angle measuring, gear patterning, freaky tolerances or special tools?

Spider gears huh? So that's what those are called. I'm learnin' already. With lots of help from forum members, I dove into a 904 with positive results, so it might be fun to try this too.

Where would one source a spider gear set?
 
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Be sure to get the matching side-gears. This is a piece of cake R&R.
But you better figure out why this happened, so it doesn't happen again, on the next trip around the block.
Oh wait! Have you been doing peg-leg burn-outs per chance? lol

If so, you may find the cross-pin seized in the spider, and the case saddles "wallered" out.
 
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i see a lot of 7 1/4s up on craigslist in my area (usually for free). might be worth a shot for you.
 
You should be able to swap out all the spiders from a like rear axle with no difficulty. But..... If it is taking abuse I would sure think of upgrading both axle and ratio.....
 
whitepunk,

Thanks again for putting my mind at ease about stuffing a new carrier into the rear end. You were right about how easy the carrier comes out of the housing. No tapping or prying was needed. One gentle tug and it was out. In fact it came out so easy, I didn't get to see the orientation of the spacers.

Can you tell me which way the beveled side of the spacer should be facing for re-install. Pic is of the "beveled side. "Does the bevel face the bearing or the axle tube? My guess would be the tube, but thought I'd get confirmation.



Thanks

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AJ/FormS said:
But you better figure out why this happened, so it doesn't happen again, on the next trip around the block.
Oh wait! Have you been doing peg-leg burn-outs per chance? lol

If so, you may find the cross-pin seized in the spider, and the case saddles "wallered" out.
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There was the occasional one wheel peel, but I think the PO started the process of destruction. The carnage wasn't limited to the spiders, side gears were pretty chewed too. The pin holding the cross shaft in place was in two pieces as well. The holes were definatly "wallered" out. You could easily wiggle the cross shaft by hand.

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problem is on the drive home metal went thru the pinion bearings, so it should be completely disassembled and cleaned and all new bearings. need a press and some knowhow. look for a good 8 1/4" to replace the whole rear
 
I tried to give away my old 7 1/4 and had no takers. So it went into the scrap bin.
 
Creedmoor said:
whitepunk,

Thanks again for putting my mind at ease about stuffing a new carrier into the rear end. You were right about how easy the carrier comes out of the housing. No tapping or prying was needed. One gentle tug and it was out. In fact it came out so easy, I didn't get to see the orientation of the spacers.

Can you tell me which way the beveled side of the spacer should be facing for re-install. Pic is of the "beveled side. "Does the bevel face the bearing or the axle tube? My guess would be the tube, but thought I'd get confirmation.



Thanks

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I just rebuilt a 7 1/4, here is a link to how I did it. I have pics so you can see how the carrier and spacers goes together :)
7 1/4 Rebuild on the cheap
 
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