You have a couple of options when servicing the rear axle. You can do all the work with the axle installed in the car or remove the axle from the car and perform the work on an axle fixture. Each method has advantages and disadvantages. Are you working on a vehicle hoist or using a […]

I have decided to put together a drivetrain that can withstand 700 hp, be easy to drive, and be reliable. This was a virtually impossible (or very expensive) task 15 years ago but with the current status of the aftermarket industry, it is now very achievable. The easiest way to get large horsepower numbers is […]

One primary reason to rebuild a Ford 9-inch axle is to go along with a total performance drivetrain upgrade in your muscle car. One of the most common reasons to replace a wimpy stock axle assembly is that it could only handle the torque from the stock engine. But after you built or swapped in […]

Many parts compose a rear axle and its most important function is to provide torque multiplication and speed reduction. This is accomplished with a right-angle drive gear arrangement called a hypoid gear set. The next most important aspect of the axle is to split torque to the wheels through a differential. This chapter explores two […]

There are two limited-slip-style differentials available: the Equa Lok and the Traction-Lok. They are similar in design. The Equa Lok is quite rare because it was only used for a few years. There are internal differences between the two and most parts are not interchangeable. The Equa Lok has four steel and three friction plates that […]

The differential pinions ride on pins, and the three pins are supported in the square center block. The three roll pins not only prevent the differential pinions from coming out, but also serve a secondary purpose of preventing the pins from rotating inside the differential housing. With all of the parts clean and inventoried, the […]

Now that you have the wheel ends and axle shafts sorted out, you can concentrate on the third member and pinion cartridge. You can remove the pinion cartridge from the third member while the third member is still in place on the housing, but the order does not matter, especially if you know that you […]

The first step is to have the vehicle on jack stands and the wheels and tires removed. After you remove the brake drums be sure to set them aside in a clean and safe place. Remember to label the axle shafts according to the side in which they were installed, as they are different lengths. […]

There are 33 different aftermarket shim thicknesses available, ranging from .307 to .241 inch (in .002-inch increments). One of the biggest frustrations in building these axles is that the thin shims in an aftermarket pack are very difficult to install without damaging them. And if you use the OEM shims you have a bunch of different […]