Ford 9" Rear End Question

[Janusz]

I'm looking to replace the gasket between the rear end pumpkin (Strange Engineering) and the main housing. Is there a recommended process for doing so and will the gear set need to be re-set to make sure that the gears mesh properly?

John

[Tim Brewer]

Just use a new gasket with a little sealant, (like silicone). The gears on the 9" are bolted together in the front part of the pumpkin. It's imposible for them to come apart. Just take yopur rear end apart and you'll see. It's easy, you can't mess up.
Tim

[SantaFe66]

You will need to pull the axles out a bit to clear the third member. Drain the lube with a suction device (should be about a gallon). Get a jack under the third member unless you're a bench presser, unbolt it (after unbolting the yoke from the driveline & slide the driveline forward or pull it out of the tranny), then move the third member forward off the bolts. Clean the surfaces, silicone both, put the new gasket on, slide it back in, rebolt it, pop the axles back in, refill it with lube and you're good. Not complicated and you don't have to disassemble the ring and pinion, so no adjustment issues.

[lovehamr]

John, don't forget that the axles have to be pulled out at least a few inches on each side so as to clear the side gears before you try to pop the third member out. The axles are secured on either side by 4 nut/bolts going through the brake backing plate. Depending on what brake system you are using you may only have to remove the brake drums or the caliper and rotor to get to those 4 nut/bolts. If you already knew this; sorry, just trying to be helpfull.
Steve

[Ron61]

John,

Just a thought while you have the rear end apart. Many years ago in my 69 Torino cobra I got tired of having to drain the fluid with a suction device and once when we had it out, I had a drain hole drilled and tapped and put in a drain plug. Much easier to do, and it has been in there for over 30 years and has never leaked at all.

Ron

[trularin]

May I suggest you do a search on this site for more information.

I think I had posted instructions at one time or another.

Hey, it's just a suggestion.

[Janusz]

Thanks to all for the input. Something to do on a Sunday afternoon.
Is it fair to assume that Permatex blue should work as the sealant?

Ron61, thought of addiing a drain plug. Did you just tap the housing or did you weld in a bung?

Trularin, did a search prior to posting. I can usually find what I need, thus the minimal posts. Must not have been detailed enough, since I ended up with 500 hits. Lots of good info, just ran out time reading and could not find an brief answer. Will do one more check, but believe for now, I have what I need.

Again, thanks for the replies.

[Ron61]

I just looked at an older 9" that had a drain plug and drilled and tapped the housing on the bottom. Then I went to Ford and got a new plug to screw in. I had a 65 Galaxie with the 9" and it came with the drain plug so I looked at how it was in and that was what I used as my guide. I do believe the housing in the Cobra is a little thicker than the one in the 65 Galaxie was, but am not sure as that was a long time ago.

Ron

[Rick Parker]

The metal in the housing is about 1/8" thick. Best idea is to weld a bung on the bottom below the ring gear outside the housing. Then to aid in filling one can also be added to the top as well. Do not drill or tap into the gear case.