8.8 gearing question
 

so i went to the jy the other day to try and find an 8.8 4.10 w ls. i was only able to find a 3.73 with a ls and a 4.10 open. is there anything i need to consider before i take out and swap the 4.10s into the other axle?

I'm assuming you want the LS? Full case locker! LOL.

But yes, you will be good.

ok good. im totally new to axles. and after all the work of pulling and buying two axles, i want to make sure everything will work out ok. i have heard that the 4.10s need to be marked so that they go back in the same way they came out because of wear patterns...is this true? was told they would hum otherwise.

I wouldn't have bothered pulling two axles, and I really wouldn't spend a bunch of time tearing both down just to swap used parts between them, plus all the time spent setting one of them back up.

You're going to need a couple hundred bucks worth of special tools to properly set the clearances and backlash. The 8.8 uses a crush sleeve, so that has to be replaced, and you're supposed to use a new pinion nut too. Not a bad idea to replace all the bearings and seals while you're there. Here's a good write up. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=144780

Edit: Yes, used gears can hum or whine.

Time is not an issue. Tools are not an issue. Its mainly the knowledge. My friends dad knows how to do em but i want to know as much as possible before i start diving in and what would be the best way to do it. Like which housing would be better and which parts should be new. The crush sleeve and pinion nut are great examples of thing i want to know. i have faith in my friends dad but hes old and i want to know everything specific to the 8.8.

what you're trying to do sounds like a waste of time and money on new parts. just throw back that 3.73 one and get a locker, spool, lunchbox
you'll probably spend as much as a new lunch box costs anyway
or I'll sell you a 31 spline 8.8 LSD with newer clutch packs rebuilt by west coast differential

why is it so bad to pull the limited slip outta the one with 3.73 and put it in the one with 4.10s?

If your new to gears I would not recommend doing them by your self. A lot can go wrong if done a slight bit wrong.
Get help.

i have help but i came on here to ask ppl who have delt with 8.8 before. and from what im being told it sounds like its bad idea to swap a limited slip from one axle into one that was open. but i dont understand why ppl are saying thats not easy and costs money.

because its not as simple as bolt in and go. you would need to set up the gears: IE setting proper tolerances and wear patterns. its really a lot of work and potentially money just to gain a wimpy Limited slip. just get the 4.10 open, throw in a $300 lunchbox locker and it'll work better than the limited slip and would be much less of a hassle

edit: i know it may sound easy to just "set some tolerances and make sure it wears okay" but its not. you basically have to put together and tear apart the diff many times to get it right. and to adjust it you use shims that are pressed in under the bearings, meaning you need a special tool ($$$) to safely take out the bearings without damaging them.

Because it does.
I do gears and I build 8.8's
Not as simple as your thinking. Once you pull it apart your building a axle with USED parts.
That's almost as bad as building a motor with all used parts. It ain't gonna last long.
Here is a pic of a 8.8 I built from the ground up
Yes truss for a tj gears c clip eliminator elocker bearings. He is 1100 into this axle in parts.


Attachment 127208



Attachment 127209

There are 3 things you don't half *** in a rig: engine, trans, axles.

I just had a detroit put in my 8.8 to replace my limited slip. I watched the process. remove drums. open case dump fluid. remove lock bolt. remove c-clips. remove cross shaft. pull shafts back. unbolt shim... covers? remove carrier. unbolt ring. place ring on new carrier and reverse above steps. grinding was involved. also you have to reset the shims carrier bearings and backlash which you need specialized tools and experience for.

I probably missed some steps and got most of that wrong. but that's the general jist of it. if you think you can do that then maybe. but thats a ton of work man.

true dat^^ my limited slip is sold already anyway :D

so just to summarize. my .02 is that it's much easier just to return the 3.73 axle and buy a locker.
or return both and just wait and find an 8.8 with 4.10 LSD

well that kinda sucks. i was hoping to make it work. i cant really return the axles for anything more than credit that is only good for 30 days. plus i got both for 150. thats why i was hoping to just pull the lsd from the one and throw it in the other. i know ppl that have done gears and have the tools to do it.

both for 150? sounds like a good deal. sell the 3.73 geared axle and use the money towards a lunchbox locker