I'm a seasoned DIY shade tree mechanic and never shy away from working on my own cars but rebuilding my 8.8 rear has always been intimidating to me. I watched this video several times along with reading the Ford Racing documentation and I just successfully completed it. I did a complete removal,clean up, POR-15 & black topcoat and it looks beautiful! Upgraded to 373s, carbon fiber clutch pack and replaced all bearings and seals. Your videos gave me the confidence to take it on. Thank you!

@jackkhol4251

Жыл бұрын

Did you have to by all the tools he was using in the video? The backlash measurer, Mic tool to measure the shim thickness and such?

@integrahomeinspectionsllc9616

Жыл бұрын

@@jackkhol4251 Wow...My comment is from 4yrs ago... I had to purchase an inch pound torque wrench to set the pinion pre-load. Everything else I already had.

7 years later and still a valuable resource. Thanks!

I appreciate you showing the difficulty involved in adjusting everything, sometimes it seems everyone else just figures stuff out really easy and its nice to see someone else go through the same problems as myself. Really good stuff, thank you for making this video series!

There are quite a few diff rebuilding videos out there, but this is by far one of the best. It is explained in a clear concise manner describing, not just how and why things are done , but highlighting the exact issues that everyone will face when attempting this job. Excellent video.

@newedgefrank3257

10 ай бұрын

He sure is the best one I have found on this topic and job. I been scratching my head with my mustang. And now it’s much easier.

I just learned a lot with this vid .... Which is if I ever need a rear end built to take it to the shop lol

@scottmcmichael319

3 жыл бұрын

I kinda wanna get an old rear end to try it see if I can do it lol

I like this video for the obvious reasons but I also love how it shows the metal and physical process of getting something RIGHT instead of just "good enough".

"what do we do?" "same thing we've been trying to do Pinky, take over the world." This is why I watch you, Eric. Changed the diff fluid on my Ford 8.8 w/ 3.55 & limited slip a few days ago--thank god I don't need a rebuild! Don't know that I would have had the patience you did with those shims.

@MichaelGedies

8 жыл бұрын

22:45 That was beautiful.

@jack002tuber

8 жыл бұрын

LOL!!!

@welcomealwaypleasuresantos4360

7 жыл бұрын

+Michael Grifes @ l impezas mas @ tradução

@welcomealwaypleasuresantos4360

7 жыл бұрын

+Michael Grifes @ l impezas mas @ tradução @ x XZ michele

@ricardo340

7 жыл бұрын

Great video series. I'd switch out the Chinese dial indicator for a US one.

Eric, I use shims often in my workplace to align electric motors to pumps. I also found it difficult to measure stacks of shims, because the measurement varies. A good solution I found is to press the stack of shims together with some pliers (with quite a bit of pressure) and while doing this, measure as close to the pliers as possible. The shims must also be completely free of oil. Only that way I am able to get reasonably repeatable measurements of shim stacks.

Eric, for future reference (seeing as you're a ford/foxbody guy) what you can do for the setup procedure to speed things up is to take a dial caliper and measure the thickness of the original pinion head with the original pinion shim on it. Then measure the new pinion and add shims to equal the thickness of the original setup. (If sticking with the original bearing brand) this will in most cases get you almost spot on for pinion depth if not spot on you're damn close! It took me about 10 ford 8.8's to realize this little known trick. Also as stated before you can do initial setup without the crush sleeve and only use it for final assembly! I've been in your shoes pal! Love the vids, I'm sure you've helped a ton of guys out. Your t5 vids helped me out ten fold!!!

@AdrianScatton

Жыл бұрын

One of the greatest parts of the Internet is people volunteering their hard earned experience to help others out. You don't have to worry about hurting your trade because the vaaaaast majority of people are still taking their rear ends in to professionals. For those of us that are really inclined to do it ourselves, your help is invaluable. I narrowed an 8.8 to put into an old Mopar. (Another process i was only aware of and capable of because of folks like you sharing.) Seriously... thank you so very much.

@SethStang_

6 ай бұрын

im about to do this so hopefully this will help me

@colin957

6 ай бұрын

​@SethStang_ same, on a 8.8

@SethStang_

6 ай бұрын

good luck i am waiting on more crush washers to continue lol@@colin957

This is a real video with out removed clips! I did rear end 3 times and still can’t get it right. What a pain in the ass. Great job brother

Omg dude… watched part 1 & 2 all the way through. I felt your pain in this video more than I’ve ever felt watching fail army or any of those vids!

Great videos on this 8.8 rebuild! Probably the best I've seen. The other guys don't show all the trial and error. There's a lot to be learned by the error!

I have no intention of replacing rear gears(especially after watching this) but this is a great bearing tutorial. Thanks for enduring all the pain. Imagine doing this on jacks in your old garage :-).

This video just made millions of dollars for diff shops across the Country! Great information. I'm going to give it a try on my 8.8, but there will be a heck of a lot more cursing!

Most honest gearing video I’ve seen. Thanks for the honesty.

I think we all need to take a breath, and truly understand just how great and easy the old nine inch Ford really is.

By watching the awful experience Eric has had putting this diff together has changed my mind about rebuilding my 8.8 due to some howl... until it blows I'll live with it and just remind myself of this series when I'm annoyed by the noise. Thanks Eric!

@ericthecarguy

8 жыл бұрын

I think a wider variety of shims would have made things easier.

@IntegraDIY

8 жыл бұрын

The cool thing about Eric is that he has experience but he also dives in and learns along the way. Which that's what makes a mechanic a mechanic, have no fear of the machines. Fearing mechanisms is what scares people and makes them forget about performing the job themselves. Trial and error = accomplishment = knowledge

@mrdjsubz

8 жыл бұрын

Integra DIY Good points, I've learned a ton by undertaking many new jobs on my cars... but I do fear becoming frustrated or screwing something up. It's summer time and i want to be able to drive my Mustang not watch it sit in the garage torn apart because my backlash can't get to the right spot. Error can = expensive repairs/parts. but learning and the end result is worth it sometimes.

you're a patient man Eric , great job .

@michealspence3844

8 жыл бұрын

yea....i would of give up already.....

@catnapwat

8 жыл бұрын

+Micheal Spence *have *given

Eric, you are very patient. I would have had to walk away a few times on this one. They make this stuff look so easy on TV. This is a good video because it shows what this can really be like.

Thanks ; now I think, I know why my dad kept me out of his shop when he was working on projects like the one you just did .!!!! Thanks for your hard work !!!

What an emotional rollercoaster! That is the kind of perseverance that gets the job done! Thank you, Eric!

Thanks for showing what a pain it is to set up a rear end. Most videos sow all the happy endings and not the trial and error that needs to be done.

This series has taught me so much about diffs

Hey, Eric. When measuring backlash it's really important to measure where the contactpattern is, and also having your probe in 90 degree angle from the flank, else the readings you get is incorrect. BTW, my profession is developing and manufacturing gearsets for heavy trucks. When watching this video i was screaming at my screen "ERIC YOU SHOULD ADD SHIMS TO THE PINION" and other nerdy stuff. Thanks for making my day!

@ericthecarguy

8 жыл бұрын

Yea, I can almost hear people screaming at the computer screen as I film some of these episodes. Thanks for your input.

So far been watching every minute on this rebuild and setup. It's great you are showing the oops' and all the headaches that come with it. It shows how it is in real life and not some slick 15 minute video that makes it look easy. Subscribed!

Sorry Eric, but I had to smile at your frustration on setting up this rear end. I’ve done about 15 to 20 of these and feel your pain, they do get easier with each one. I was a GM mechanic and went to GM rear end school during my dealership employment and they had a lot of specialty tools for set up. I learned a lot about setting the patterns and adjustments. The old days when I use to blow up rear ends it was with the hand tools and use what you had and fabricate what you needed. A frustrating time I had at the GM dealer was a brand new Chevy Van back in 77, it was a 350 c. I. with an automatic and just a standard 1/2 ton empty cargo van with two bucket seats. The customer complained of a rear end howl at a certain cruising speed, the shop Forman asked me to check the pattern and I did and it was dead money. He said we may have to change it a little to remove the howl at cruising speed ( can’t remember the speed but it was around 45 to 50 ) so I did a few changes with no luck. After 4 shots at slight pattern changes and no difference and two days of frustrations the old timer in the truck shop came over and said just send it over to service and have them undercoat the floor, these are notorious for echo because they’re just a hollow sound box that transfers any sound to the driver. That took care of the problem and I asked him why he didn’t tell me earlier, he said I needed the experience and the lesson learned was invaluable to me. So I put it where it was when it came in and shipped it. Always mic and right down your original shim positions from factory if your not shanking out ring and pinion and adjust from there if changing out bearings, it’s a starting point.

You have the patience of a saint, I was losing my mind watching you have to adjust them over and over! Congratulations though and another great video from you both.

I rarely comment on any vids, due to my typing skills mostly. I am in the middle of changing differential carrier bearings in my Dodge Ram van, 2003. I've viewed sooo many vids and researched so intensely, and still barely able to comprehend all the instruction that had to be fallowed to exact specs, or else. For the 4th time, I find myself having to CRAWL under my van again and get to the pinion, remove it, etc..,etc.,, . This evening I Literally through in the towel. I was going to do something bad! Then this video, Thanks Eric. I'm heading out to make this rite! It was Inspiring, and I LMFAO< Great vid Eric.

I watched this video probably 4 or 5 times, read the Ford manual twice, and prepared for battle with my new ring and pinion expecting to do it 10-20 times over hours upon hours of shop time..... Some how nailed all my specs and gear patterns on the first try.

@colin957

6 ай бұрын

Lol that just seems wrong

Differential specialist repair shop. Depending on type and difficulty of differential. $350/$600 labor + parts... Disassemble differential, inspect all components, clean entire differential of contaminants/debris, set back up to specifications and warranty the work. Or you can have the KZread I fixed it myself headache and still have an improper gear pattern that you think is right... Priceless

Great video Eric! Love the fact you showed the good as well as ALL the frustration. I had to subscribe for this reason. It's nice to see someone not just cut and edit in the good stuff where everything just falls right into place. It's nice to see problem solving. Well done!

Anyone else remember when part one was filmed back in 1979, and part 2 was made available in 2017. I hear he did finally get this rear end together, but by the time he did, the loss of memory set in and he doesn't remember what he was building it for. This rear end is now in a museum for the longest rebuild in history.

I have been watching your videos for a long time now (3-4 years). I just want to thank you for all your time and effort you put into them. I have learned a lot! So thanks Eric and stay dirty!

Eric you saved me $550 with these videos. Ended up setting up my 8.8 IRS rear with a new 3.73 R&P and a new torsen differential myself rather than paying a shop. Thank you

The experience, the patience, the humor. Wish I could subscribe over and over again.

Thank you for the video, very informative! I just went through the process about two months ago and my diff already started to make a whining sound. I'm going to take it apart again and with this video I shouldn't have any issues. Thanks again!

Appreciate the pain you went through to make this video!!!! I am doing my first diff rebuild (and full spool/c-clip eliminators) next week, when I run into issues...I can look back on this video, and know there is light at the end of the tunnel...might stop me from throwing a breaker bar into the woods out of frustration!

I haven't looked yet to see if you're still doing videos but thank the Gods you did this 7 years ago. Getting ready to do my 8.8 out of a 86 Bronco and getting more reassured that I can do it after watching your video. The rearend is down to bear bones and what i think after watching will be to drop it and put on a work bench. You did say it was heavy. Thanks so much for all the trial and tribulations you went through and showed us, sortof know what to expect.

Man bro do I ever feel your pain. Try doing the same thing laying on your back in the gravel driveway. I don't ever want to setup another rear end EVER again. It literally about killed me from my blood pressure. Lol. Great content though. Showing the struggles just like the everyday person has. Keep up the good work. These 2 videos explain exactly how it goes when trying to set up a new rear end.........

Epic! Best diff setup info I have ever seen! It is really helpful to see the trial and error reality of the process!

@ericthecarguy

8 жыл бұрын

That's why I left that in. I'll have a 'short' version coming out next week for those that don't want to see the struggle.

alot of effort you put there, good results, I figured out now why rebuilding differentials usually fail because no one is doing like what you did there. keep up the great work.

Eric, a book I have said the wear mark will move from toe to heel depending on the backlash (wear on the toe can be moved toward the heel by increasing backlash) and the wear mark moves from the high face to low by changing the pinion shim (thinner shims moves the mark to higher)

I must commend you for this video. The main reason being that you left in all the difficulties you faced. Your viewers are truly learning through your experience. Great job!

I would have scrapped that whole thing by now!! LOL I admire your patience!!

Erick you just gave me all the courage I needed to swap my differential to a 3.73 ratio 31 splines axles. Explained just like a teacher would do to a student. Thank you for taking your time sharing your knowledge and experiences.

much better learning the concept by watching the struggles and seeing how everything fits together. I know I'll never do this type of work but I still watched the whole thing. great job

Absolutely fantastic videos! I know this drove you to the point of insanity but watching you figure out all these problems makes me more confident about doing a gear swap on my f-150. Thanks again!

Haha, Ya know back in the day my pops would've started cursin and throwin wrenches if this happened. You showed great self control and hung in there... major props to you Eric. You just earned another well deserved sub.

The patience is strong with this man. Respect.

This was a very LEARNING video. VERY full of valuable knowledge - stuff that I must admit I lacked in. But now, I feel that with patience - I too, can do this. Bravo!

Differentials are one of my favorite things to work on. Takes practice to get it right.

This was super helpful. Thank you for this video. Also, thank you for showing all the trials and tribulations. Most make it look like a 20 minute job. Glad to see the real experience. Thanks.

First: You're my hero! Setting these things up is intimidating, especially on a daily driver (cause you gotta get it done). Through your pain, I've learned a ton. As we saw from your pain, there's a relationship between pinion depth and backlash. Assuming no changes in carrier shims, increase the pinion depth and backlash decreases and visa versa. I've seen that there is a pinon depth spec for these diffs that must be set with a depth tool before starting. Once that's set, it's a matter of getting backlash set. Doing it that way is supposed to reduce overall setup time. I cannot confirm or deny this assertion. Awesome series of videos on this subject. I have to try this on a Dana 44 and you've REALLY helped me with both fear reduction and how to proceed.

ALWAYS get your backlash right before checking the tooth pattern, I've learned this the hard way!!

Great vid. Showed a lot of patience bearing that cross.What a relief to get it back up on the car.

I'm rebuilding the axle on my Lincoln Town Car and these videos are very helpful. Thank you.

Very good video, especially showing the potential issues involved. Building a rear end isn't that bad, its just time consuming, frustrating and tedious to get right. Having done it, and I had guys who knew what they were doing there, I wouldn't do it again. I would pay for one already set up now. But, the experience was worth it. Thanks for showing that and looking forward to more.

I can't believe I am just seeing this! I have done my gears once before and it was sooo painful I swore I'd never try again. This video gives me confidence to try again. Thanks!

dang ..getting ready to attempt my first 8.8 set up....this looks frightening ...lmao......ive been searching for awhile now for a good set up video like this ....every time i watch a video its some dude going into his life history ...his car history or his family history or some other bs story's i care nothing for at the moment because im here to learn about this rear end set up business....nice video ...thanks for not telling me all about how your last dog died and keeping it ALL about setting up that rear end ......lol...nice man nice.... thanks for the video man !!!!!

I paid $400 labor to have a reputable diff company to rebuild my factory 8" mustang rear end. After watching this video I am glad I did. Went with eaton tru trac posi and motive gears and axles. Should work for 375hp.

The word maddening does correctly define trying to set backlash. Great job eric and awesome video man.

This has helped me so much. I'm going to be putting the 3.73 gears in my 2014 mustang and had been having a hard time understanding how to do it just from reading. This video made it all make sense and now I have the knowledge and confidence to do it. Thanks

@WASDxMerceless

6 жыл бұрын

Same here, I'm going to be rebuilding my xr6t with 3.91 gears and a trutrac. Seeing the trial and error going on here I think will really help me. I definitely need to get a good quality micrometer first though.

Great video Eric. You are an extremely patient man alright. But job done at end of the day and you can be proud you did it. Top job!

I guess this is why I've always heard have a pro do your gear swap. this learning curve is always there for the first timer

I feel for you. I just rebuilt the differential in my Jeep Liberty 8.25 and it has adjustable collars on either side to set the backlash. They literally just screw in and out of the housing. So much easier than what you had to go through. Lot's of patience was displayed, I'm surprised you didn't go full HULK and smash it on the floor. LOL

Love love LOVE your videos Eric! thia series has brought me sooooo close to a much needed gear size upgrade that I am scared to attempt! haha

I like to watch your videos on speed setting 2. It's like you're all coked up, extra entertaining and informative.

I admire your patience and persistence, bro.

Eric, I've learned a lot watching this series of videos/ Great patience.

I never had to setup a rear end but have replaced a few pinion seals over the years, I never placed any kind of sealer on then and never had any issues. don't know if its luck or it just may not be really needed. Great video again, patience is key!

Your video was a huge help in setting up my first rearend, an 8.8/GM 7.5 hybrid rearend for my 98 Turbo Camaro...thanks!

Here I am watching a 38 minute video I said I'd never watch because I'm not a mechanic, I must like you or something Eric. You have much more patience than I, I would have called it 'good enough' long ago.

this video helped out a lot! i had rear end howl on deceleration. this was my first time changing gears and I decided to get a detroit trutrac for my mustang. my dumb ass was checking pinion preload with the Diff in the pumpkin since I got to take it out and start all over im going to use a fail-safe crush sleeve... thanks eric!

This may be the most precision-oriented work I have seen you perform yet.

@ericthecarguy

8 жыл бұрын

The series is just getting started.

Had this same issue when I was a kid rebuilding the rear axle. The machinist told me to get a piece of glass. Lay 800 grit wet sand paper on the glass. Use a a figure 8 motion holding the shim on the wet sand paper. Use the thickest shim. Then creep up on the proper backlash...As I had plenty of thin shims....Worked like a charm. All this while it was still in the car!

Wow what a freakin marathon! Thats whats it takes sometimes I guess, good job thanks for all the great info!

Wow that was frustrating as a viewer, cannot imagine how annoying it was for you. Thankfully everything worked out! Also two things that are true in this video, tighter is better, and you can never have enough lube ;)

@aserta

8 жыл бұрын

Dunno about tighter is better. On the spot more like, because tighter = excessive wear. Ideally you want everything on the engineered sweet spot. Where momma pencil drew it as they used to say.

@FrenchValleyAirport

8 жыл бұрын

+aserta I was implying tighter is better than too loose in clearance, metal surfaces can always wear into spec depending on application

Again very informative great video Eric. Thank you for sharing the experience with us and damn that thing looks awesome under the car ;) I'm going out now to work on my project car 👍

New from M Night Shamalan, a new scary movie - The Shimining.........

I admire your patience and desire to get it right. I would imagine this would be an expensive job for a customer if you were willing to take it on.

Much respect Eric, these kind of jobs seperate the man from the boys !!

Eric you are awesome. thanks for all the detail. couldn't do it any better. thx

I'm watching this 2.5 yrs later and having the same problem. I must say f8.8 (out of an explorer) must be the worst axle to set up ever. I've already invested 16 hours of my time in to this and only during the last hour it looked like I was finally going in the right direction. My contact pattern is still far apart. If I win this I'll open a bottle. Thanks for your help Eric, much appreciated!

@davidchristopher5976

4 жыл бұрын

You use ALL the original shims.

This is a very good instructional video you have made. Well done.

Thanks for doing all the frustrating work before I do....your just into your job too be so correct you just go on and on and on man very 💪 mind!!! Love it

Wow, you have a superhuman amount of patience. I think I would have started chucking tools long before you got that done! Then I would have taken the diff to an axle shop and paid the guy to laugh at the mess I made of it.

Things like this separate the men from the boys. Well done Eric!

Thanks Eric, Solid Video. The best I could find. A lot of effort was put into the making of this and the presentation, and it really shows. I am an electrician, and even I could do this job. Haha this is one job that I know I can do in the future now, but I dont think I would. I committed to the job before knowing how to do this and This video helped me a lot. I would advice others based of my previous dif rebuild that buying the proper torque wrench for preload is the only way to do it properly. I did go the inexpensive route, and I think it is a better tool for this job - $46 Beam Type Presa Torque Wrench 0-80 inch pounds - Im looking for 14-19 inch pounds on my 10 bolt 8.6 Chevy rear dif. The smaller your scale the better the accuracy. The torque wrench in this video is expensive and the accuracy is not as good. Cheers Guys

Exactly on my 19th birthday and right after exams finished! Great video Eric, thanks for making my day even nicer!

@ericthecarguy

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment and good luck with the exams.

You have the patients of a Tibetan monk, I would have lost my mind...lol

Your a God of Auto Repair...

Had a blast with you guys shooting the holiday pics man..

You are a badass mechanic in my eyes Eric & your funny. I love your videos

well done man, very thorough info, it makes me want to build something

You sir have the patience of a god.

great work Eric

thank you for this video.. I enjoyed it a great deal . its a job I've never done but now want to. I'll start collecting shims right away ..

@ericthecarguy

8 жыл бұрын

Good call.

this could not of been fun, i admire your patience Eric!

This vid was so stressful to watch, I can't imagine how much of a headache it was to film! Props Bro 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👊🏾

When you sand it with the roloc (die grinder) it heats up and expands. If you ever have to do this again get yourself a decent machinist's micrometer. Just handling the shim will be enough to heat it and change measurement. I knew you'd get it sorted. Getting it done must feel great!