3.55 ?

Please don't post the same thread in talk and tech.
I merged your two threads.

if you have never had experience with differentials I would not attempt it. You need measuring tools like a dial indicator and such. You have to set the backlash on the gears...lots of crucial measurements. it will be very hard for you if you have not done one before. I would recommend you bring it somewhere

Just my opinion though

87foxstang said:

if you have never had experience with differentials I would not attempt it. You need measuring tools like a dial indicator and such. You have to set the backlash on the gears...lots of crucial measurements. it will be very hard for you if you have not done one before. I would recommend you bring it somewhere

Just my opinion though

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+1. if you've never messed with one before, i wouldn't do it unless you had someone there who has done it before and knows what they're doing.

Bring it to a driveline shop....let the pros do it

I have always wondered how much taking just the diff. to a shop would run to have them replace the gears. Anyone with experience?

Taking just the differential to a garage isn't going to be any cheaper. I don't have experience but have watched gears being installed and it's just as easy to have the whole car on a lift while doing it. I had a shop do mine years ago for about 120 bucks in labor costs.

93tealstang said:

Taking just the differential to a garage isn't going to be any cheaper. I don't have experience but have watched gears being installed and it's just as easy to have the whole car on a lift while doing it. I had a shop do mine years ago for about 120 bucks in labor costs.

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That is really, really reeeeally cheap. Assuming most shops charge between 50-60 bucks an hour, thats assuming they did it in about 2 hours. If they do good work, I'd keep going back to them if I were you, because that is a killer deal. My boss just had new gears installed in the back of his Firebird, and he payed 1200$ total. Granted, a 5.0 has a pretty basic rear end, but again, 120 is really a good deal.

I did my gears myself without any prior experience, but I've had experience as a machinist, so I was familiar with using the calipers and dial indicator (which are essential tools for this job), as well as setting the backlash, etc. Rebuilding a rear end is somewhat a finesse operation, so if you've never had experience with precision tools, or don't have access to a friend who has done it before and is willing to walk you through it, I would recommend you don't try it yourself.

If you do, some of the tools you will need:
Dial (or vernier, if you're old school) calipers
Magnetic base dial indicator
Impact wrench capable of 200-250 ft-lb, IIRC (we got away with using an electric one)
A large torque wrench (I think I used my 25-150 ft-lb unit)
A BFH and a 2x4. Seriously. You'll most likely have to do some pounding.
A hydraulic press, or a machine shop to press the bearing off the pinion and maybe the ring off the diff.
Tall jack stands. The higher you get the car, the better.
Obviously, normal hand tools.

Supplies:
Full rebuild kit, I recommend the ones with all the bearings (replace your axle bearings while you are in there).
An extra crush sleeve or two. It took me two tries to crush the sleeve and get a good feeling pinion pre-load. These bad boys are one-use only, DO NOT REUSE. Once they are crushed, they are done.
Lube and friction modifier.
Lock-tite. I think you need the red stuff, but I can't remember for sure.
Some beer, if you are old enough. It helps ease the edge when you can't get the damn side shims in place.
MOST IMPORTANT: A good reference, or two, or three. The more research you do going into this, the better your results will be. Yukon Gear has a gear swap article on their website. Check it out.


Wow, that was way too much typing. Anyway, good luck.

you gotta make sure you change your speedo gear too in the tranny....or ur speedo will be way off

I had mine done two years ago at a local 4X4 shop for $320.00, labor only. I already had all the parts required for the install. Include gears, bearings, diff. fluid, ect. and I would expect the total cost to be between $500-$600 dollars depending on labor rates. If you want new axles or a new LSD i would save up and have it all done at the same time, i had my eaton 31 spline diff. and new axles installed with the gears at no extra cost.

i also agree with having a shop do the install, unless you have trustworthy help.
trying to save a couple hundred bucks on the install could easily set you further back in cost if the gears arent properly aligned.

If you take it to a shop they should tell you to take it easy on the accelerator for 500 miles or so, and to come back after 500 miles so they can check for proper wear pattern on the gears and change the fluid. The shop i went to did the checkup for free i only had to buy the gear oil.

^^just my opinion though

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That is really, really reeeeally cheap. Assuming most shops charge between 50-60 bucks an hour, thats assuming they did it in about 2 hours. If they do good work, I'd keep going back to them if I were you, because that is a killer deal. My boss just had new gears installed in the back of his Firebird, and he payed 1200$ total. Granted, a 5.0 has a pretty basic rear end, but again, 120 is really a good deal.

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Word eventually got out and everyone was taking their car to this shop to have gears done. Remind you, this was over 7 years ago. I told a friend once about the shop and he said it was way too cheap and opted to go to a Mustang specialty shop. He spent around 600 total but it gave him the peace of mind he needed. Still, in referrence to this thread I cannot see any more than 6-7 hundred total to get gears done in a Mustang.

I did my 373's in my 90 without a dial indicator or any rear end specialty tools and it's fine. No wines no problems what so ever. Just changed the gear oil after 1000 miles and have text book wear patterns. My 88 got the rear end from a 91 that already had gears installed by a shop and they are noisy as hell. I will change them out soon, but I have other things on the list ahead of them since they are working fine, just loud. My 04 ranger was wrecked when I bought it so I kept the stock 50k mile 410's which I'll put in the 88.

Point is, shop install isn't always better, but you need to do your research first, KNOW what you're doing don't think you know, before you start. I had no previous exp. installing gears, never seen it done. Just did it and got lucky with finding the right literature.