Ford Differentials: How to Rebuild the 8.8 and 9-inch (Workbench How-to)

The Ford 8.8- and 9-inch rear differentials are two of the most popular and best-performing differentials on the market. While the 8.8-inch differential is commonly used in late-model Mustangs, the 9-inch is the more popular and arguably the most dominant high-performance differential for muscle cars, hot rods, custom vehicles, and race cars. Built from 1957 to 1986, the 9-inch Ford differential is used in a huge range of high-performance Ford and non-Ford vehicles because of its rugged construction, easy-to-set-up design, and large aftermarket support. The 9-inch differential effectively transmits power to the ground for many classic Fords and hot rods of all types, but it is the choice of many GM muscle car owners and racers as well. These differentials have been used extensively and proven their mettle in racing and high-performance applications.

The Ford 8.8- and 9-inch must be rebuilt after extensive use and need a variety of different ratios for top performance and special applications. This Workbench book provides detailed step-by-step photos and information for rebuilding the differentials with the best equipment, installing the gear sets, and converting to Posi-Traction for a variety of applications. It describes how to disassemble the rear end, identify worn ring and pinion gears, other damage or wear, and shows step-by-step rebuilding of the differential. It also explains how to select the right differential hardware, bearings, seals, and other parts, as well as how to set ring and pinion backlash so that the rear end operates at peak efficiency.

Aftermarket 9-inch performance differentials from manufacturers including Currie, Moser and Strange are reviewed and you learn how to rebuild and set up these high-performance aftermarket differentials. In addition, this book provides a comprehensive identification chart to ensure readers properly identify the model and specifics of the 9-inch differential. Chapters include axle identification, inspection, and purchasing axles for rebuilding; differential tear down; ring and pinion gear removal; inspection and reassembly; drive axle choices; and more.

Within the 144 pages of this softcover book is everything you need to know about rebuilding Ford's 8.8 and 9-inch differentials. in fact, the information is so well presented, with understandable, concise writing backed by hundreds of clear, detailed photographs, that you'll be able to rebuild most other differentials too, as they are all basically the same by design. Here the author guides you through each and every step of the rebuilding process, details the tools needed, explains how and why each part works, and shows you how to set the pinion angle and other critical dimensions. --Hemmings Classic Car, September, 2013

The Ford 8.8 inch and 9-inch differentials have been extensively used and proven their mettle in racing and hi-performance applications. Ford Differentials provides detailed step-by-step photos and information for rebuilding these differentials. Starting with the disassembly of the rearend, the book goes on to identify worn ring-and-pinion gears and other damage to or wear, and proceeds to show step-by-step rebuilding of the differential. It also explains how to select the right differential hardware, bearings, seals, and other parts, as well as having to set ring and pinion backlash so the rearend operates at peak efficiency....goes on to examine aftermarket 9-inch performance differentials from manufacturers such as Currie, Moser, and Strange, and the reader will learn how to rebuild and set up these high-performance aftermarket axles as well. A comprehensive 9-inch identification chart to ensure readers properly identify the model and specifics of the differential. --Modifiedmustangsandfords, October, 2013

...it's in-depth high-tech stuff, as befits the Workbench series from Car Tech. It starts with a superb spotters guide, then decoding some of Ford's arcane parts numbers and such: after that it delves into proper stripping down, checking, measuring and building up. It's hardcore stuff, and not exactly easy easy to read - you have to sit down and concentrate to get at the best out of the info but at the end should have far a better understanding of what's going on back there. It cant make you an expert, it can't even stop you getting things wrong, but it can definitely stop you falling into the elephant traps that await the novice, and help you decide whether you should attempt the job yourself or just call the speed shop...Definitely recommended --American Car Magazine, November, 2013

NINE-inch diffs were installed in a variety of Ford cars and vans between 1957 and 1986 (with the 8.8 inch variants not appearing until 1983), and their reliability and strength is well-known among car builders. Here we have a book that not only explains how to remove, disassemble, and rebuild your rear axle, but also how to upgrade it to handle a much more powerful set-up. If you re not sure what axle you currently have, an appendix explains how to decode your axle and which vehicle it was originally fitted to. The book also uses an actual installation of a rebuilt 9-inch axle into a 57 Chevy (of all things) to illustrate how to upgrade to a performance rear end. The drivetrain in question was designed to withstand 700hp using state-of-the- art components and a lot of custom fabrication, for those who are interested in going that far. All in all, the book contains pretty much everything you would ever need to know about these axles, whether you are planning to rebuild your own worn-out one, or just need to find out more about the how the bits between the propshaft and the rear wheels work --Round-Up, January, 2014

These two Ford rear diffs are the most popular and best performing on the market, built by Ford from 1957-1986, with the 9in, in particular, dominating muscle car, hot rod and V8 race cars markets due to its strength and durability. These parts have been used in so many Fords over the years and transplants into other makes that there is a very buoyant aftermarket serving them, which makes this book an essential addition to your armoury. The author, Palozzo, covers every aspect of re-building, uprating and general maintenance and this book is an essential reference on the subject. --TKC magazine, January, 2013