Rear end change Question

[jams]

Hi guys,

Need a little advice. I have an open 8.8 Ford rear end. I want to change it over to some type of locker. My question is… can I just take out the open carrier (I think that is what it’s called) and replace it with a new carrier? I am not changing the ring or pinion so the setup will remain the same. From what I have heard and read so far it sounds like a simple swap. I plan on replacing the bearings etc. I don’t mind doing it myself but I don’t want to cost myself more money in the end if the alignment is off and I burn up a rear. I know you can check the see how the gears are meshing but that is where my knowledge ends. What is the blue “stuff” called to test how the gears are meshing and what should I look for in the way of alignment?

If the consensus is the alignment will change I will send it out to be done otherwise I will do it myself.

Any insight will be greatly appreciated.
Jim

[Ron61]

Jim,

If you are pretty good at this stuff you can do it. I did it once and never again. I used the blueing technique to get the ring and pinion gears back right and had to take the thing apart so many times and change shims that I now have a rear end shop do anything like that. Once you remove the ring and pinion gears they will have to be made to match exactly again or you will hear thet dreaded howl. I am sure some of the more knowledgeable people in the club can tell you an easy way to do it. When I broke my posi track I took my whole rear end to the shop and the guy charged me $50 dollars to set it up with their pre load tester and that was great for me.

Ron