I just salvaged an 8.8 explorer rear end. When I opened the inspection plate the oil looked pretty bad. The gears were great. It didn't look like there was excessive wear. But what I was concerned about was the thick "fibers" in the oil. It took almost a two cans of carb cleaner to "DE-MUNG" the housing. My concern is that the fibers are a sign of wore out clutch plates? Do any of you have any experience with these rear ends? Thanks, Dawg It's possible the housing has sat in the salvage yard for several years before I stumbled upon what looked like a good deal.
i would just put new oil and additve in it and try it.. i only use the ford additive!! i've put gears in a few 8.8's and never ran into one that was messed up.. mind me asking how much you got the rearend for?
I paid $75. I'm kind of thinking along the same lines. Just run it and see how it responds. The only issue is, that if they're junk to start with, it's a lot less work to pull it out and replace them later. I should've taken pics to post.
There is a kit to replace the plates. It has the carbon clutches and shims. Think it's about $150.00 but it's been awhile.
You can buy the rebuild kit on ebay for around $50. I have done several 8.8 rears, they are not difficult to do.
Put new clutches in it, Its really easy and build the stack tight. What ever you do dont get the addative on you, or anything your keeping in the garage, its way wicked smelling stuff and it will take a week before any chick will even come near you.
I can't remember if you have to pull the lock pin out to change the clutches but if you do, avoid it at all costs... Those things like to break and are a PITA to remove... And if you have to heat it to get it out you might as well get a new carrier. I'd do what others say and change the fluid and try it.
Pull the axles and carrier new axle seals at the same time, keep your shims on the correct side and the bolt that holds the pin rarely breaks.
The ring gear must be removed to replace the clutches, the s-spring between the side gears will not come out otherwise. I've done a bunch of these at the Ford dealer.
So, I've got a bunch of different advice. The gears look great. So maybe buy the rebuild kit with new clutch plates and pack it tight. My only concern with running it as is, would be all the work to put it in my truck, and come to find out it shot! So, really, my follow up question is how long does it take to replace the clutch plates in an 8.8? 2-3 hours?
PS. I have pulled the locking pin. It took way, way, way to long. Had to heat it up. Broke it. Heated up again. Broke an easy out on it! Welded a metal rod to the fetcher. Which broke off TWICE before it finally came out! GRRRRRRR!
3 hours should get it done, not counting the time with the cross pin bolt. When you get the Ford friction modifier, get 2 bottles. The clutches must be soaked for at least 15 minutes before ***embling the clutch packs with the one bottle of modifier. Than the 2nd one goes in with the oil.
Your doing it wrong then, I replace them all the time for the Fox body guys and NEVER remove the carrier or the ring gear. I use a pair of needle nose vise grips to squeeze the spring to reinstall it. Really simple.
I'm not doing them wrong, just going off the shop manual :v). I'm used to doing them on Explorer,F150's than . If than the s- spring is too wide to slip it out the side of the carrier on the newer stuff than.
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