31 Spline install problems...PLESE HELP!

[Smokeurhonda]

Let me start by telling everybody what I just installed. I ordered 31 spline mosers, 31spline carrier from an explorer, ABS toner rings, and used the 3.73 off my old 28 spline.

Pinion and carrier were installed and work fine. The problem im runnin into is that it seems that the axles are sticking out too far. I compared lengths of the stock axles to the new ones and I looks like the tip of the axle were the c-clip goes might be about an 1/8 of an inch longer.

The problems are the the abs rings are not lining up with the sensor correctly, and my brake rotors have very little clearance in the caliper bracket. The inboard side of the rotor has about 1/2 inch of clearance to the bracket, were as the outside only has about 1/8 max. So I'm getting metal to metal contact on the rotor and it's tearing them up quick. Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated.

Is it the axles? Is it something in the carrier? What is causeing this **** not to line up?

 

[Mossberg]

What year explorer is the diff from? Was it an IRS model?

 

[Smokeurhonda]

I'm not sure, but unless there are very slight differences it seems to be a live axle carrier.

 

[damacman]

If you checked axle lengths on your Mosers with respect to the stockers and the Mosers were 1/8" longer. . . you got the wrong axles. Hey, at least it's a relatively simple fix.

 

[fastback brian]

the axles are not longer....the 31 spline posi has a bigger cross pin that pushes the axles out a bit. usually you need to add a single washer to each of the four caliper bracket mounting bolts between the flange and bracket.

 

[hotrodnut]

fastback brian is probably right, when i had the mosers, I had to shim the calipers to get them to align with the rotors by using 2 washers to equal the near 1/8" misalignment.

 

[BooWFO]

Hmm I had none of those issues when I installed my 31 spline moser's. And tlock.

 

[Cobra Jay]

Hmm I had none of those issues when I installed my 31 spline moser's. And tlock.

+1

Sounds to me like you got the wrong carrier or axle shafts.

I'll have to do a little research at work and see if there is any size difference in the 8.8 carriers for IRS and solid axles or if there is possibly a different size diff. pin.

 

[Smokeurhonda]

The pinion pin on the 31 splines are bigger. On a 28 spline they are 3/4 inch, on a 31 spline they are 7/8 inch. So how did you guys shim the calipers if bracket mounts to the inner side of axle housing?

 

[Cobra Jay]

The pinion pin on the 31 splines are bigger. On a 28 spline they are 3/4 inch, on a 31 spline they are 7/8 inch. So how did you guys shim the calipers if bracket mounts to the inner side of axle housing?

You shouldn't have to, and I wouldn't shim anything.

You've got a wrong part some where in the mix.

If I were you, I'd call Moser.

 

[Dale Royster]

I am having almost the same problem right now with my 31 spline axles and the detroit true trac differential. The right side axle sticks out to far and its causing it to not only look like a circa 1976 wheel and tire set up, but its making the rotor rub hard on the caliper bracket. The other side seems fine.

 

[Mossberg]

Wow, it sounds like you guys may have got Mosers that were made on a Monday morning or late Friday afternoon. I had no problems with my Mosers needing shims or anything of that nature.

 

[hognutz]

I had to shim one side about 1/8 of and inch. if you seach you will see it not out of the norm to have to do this. I didn't really like the fact I had to but it is a simple fix.

 

[damacman]

um . . . kay . . .

 

[thomas91169]

pardon the interruption......

whats the part list and purchase sites for this type of install. im going to be doing 3.90's and 10.5" DD's out back soon, and would like to beef up the rear end as well, to make sure i dont snap anything weak when im at the track 2 hours away.

 

[hotrodnut]

.......... So how did you guys shim the calipers if bracket mounts to the inner side of axle housing?

You actually shim the caliper not the bracket, I got longer bolts and put the spacers between the bracket and the caliper moving the caliper out to align with the rotor perfectly.

 

[hognutz]

pardon the interruption......

whats the part list and purchase sites for this type of install. im going to be doing 3.90's and 10.5" DD's out back soon, and would like to beef up the rear end as well, to make sure i dont snap anything weak when im at the track 2 hours away.

I would do 31 spline axles, diff, rear girdle, and install kit. I used summit for my parts. I would use all ford stuff next time around as I did not like having to shim my caliper with the moser axles. you can find all the part numbers at fordracingparts

you will want to weld the tubes and torque boxes if launching on slicks. if you don't know what that means just use the search function.

 

[Smokeurhonda]

Thanks guys....shimmed up the calipers and everything works fine. I also pushed in the abs rings slightly and it all checks out. My sexy mustang girl helped me put one side together. Yeah it's always nice seeing the hottness work on your car with ya.

 

[Cobra Jay]

LIKE I SAID BEFORE

YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SHIM THE CALIPERS, OR BRACKETS WHEN GOING TO 31 SPLINE AXLES.

iF THINGS AREN'T LINEING UP, THEN YOU'VE GOT WRONG PARTS

BUT WHAT DO I KNOW.....................

 

[hotrodnut]

LIKE I SAID BEFORE

YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SHIM THE CALIPERS, OR BRACKETS WHEN GOING TO 31 SPLINE AXLES.

iF THINGS AREN'T LINEING UP, THEN YOU'VE GOT WRONG PARTS

BUT WHAT DO I KNOW.....................

Gee Jay, don't yell at us . . . . we only mean well , really, you are correct, one should not have to shim the calipers to get the axles to fit. I was upset to say to the least when mounting up the calipers and found the interference fit with the rotors.

I called Moser about it and they said they would recut them for me if I wanted, which was about a 7-10 work day turn around but it would not hurt anything to use shims to get them to align. They also said with Factory tolerences in the housings and with me using an Eaton Carrier Assembly things may not fit up exactly as Factory.

One thing about this is the stock axle flange to axle flange measurement was exactly the same as the Moser / Eaton set-up in the end so I can't see why the shims were needed.

So instead of wait, I just did what they suggested and went about my way. I had that rear in my Mustang for a lot of miles and now my Son has it in his '04 GT and has went near 20,000 more miles and no problems at all.

It is very common for Differential Assemblies with aftermarket parts to not quite fit like the Factory stuff I guess. I even talked with two well known builders and they told me they have to do it all the time to get the rotor to caliper alignment correct.

So, bottom line. . . . . you are correct in that you should not have to shim to fit for Axles, but on the other hand it doesn't hurt either.