• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

do u have to re-shim the rearend on a diff change?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 90lxcoupe
  • Start date Start date Oct 28, 2005

90lxcoupe

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 7, 2003
3,596
350
134
Oct 28, 2005
#1
  • Oct 28, 2005
  • #1
does the differential have to be re shimmed and the backlash reset if i am not changing gears and just putting in a new posi unit and axles?

thanks
 

BlownFiveLiter

have car, will race....wait, it doesn't run
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
3,133
18
108
Chicagoland
Oct 28, 2005
#2
  • Oct 28, 2005
  • #2
Yes. Manufacturing tolerances between the different posi units could be enough to throw off your rear end. You may luck out and have them stay the same, but you'll never know unless you have a dial indicator to check backlash.
 

vristang

15 Year Member
Mar 31, 2005
4,933
101
124
Seattle
Oct 29, 2005
#3
  • Oct 29, 2005
  • #3
At least check it.
Then you will know that all is well.

I did have to re shim my rear when I put in the Auburn unit.

jason
 
2

2002BLGT

Well-Known Member
Dec 18, 2003
2,945
4
59
Bedford VA
Oct 29, 2005
#4
  • Oct 29, 2005
  • #4
90lxcoupe said:
does the differential have to be re shimmed and the backlash reset if i am not changing gears and just putting in a new posi unit and axles?

thanks
Click to expand...


if going from ford to ford , probably not if going from ford to a eaton or auburn then probably so ......check it with a dial to make sure , dont just guess
 

RacEoHolic330

I like to dress like a pretty girl
15 Year Member
Mar 4, 2003
4,014
1,698
203
Allentown, PA
Oct 29, 2005
#5
  • Oct 29, 2005
  • #5
I went from my stock trac-loc to an eaton posi with 31 spline axles. Didn't need to reshim anything. Been working well since then.
 
8

87'GTstang

New Member
Feb 16, 2004
1,025
0
0
Oct 29, 2005
#6
  • Oct 29, 2005
  • #6
I went from the factory ford T-lock to a Torsen but with a FMS gearset - all the specs changed, especially pinion depth.
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Oct 29, 2005
#7
  • Oct 29, 2005
  • #7
I did the same thing on my rear end (put a Truetrac LSD in my Dana rear end). We checked backlash before loosening anything -- it was within factory spec. Then we set the shims up on the new diff exactly like they were on the open diff we removed. We lucked out -- it went in, and the backlash was exactly as it was with the previous diff.

But -- you need to measure, and be prepared to re-shim because it may be necessary.
 

90lxcoupe

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 7, 2003
3,596
350
134
Oct 30, 2005
#8
  • Oct 30, 2005
  • #8
what does a backlash guage go for and where could i get it
 
8

87'GTstang

New Member
Feb 16, 2004
1,025
0
0
Oct 30, 2005
#9
  • Oct 30, 2005
  • #9
There is no such thing as a backlash gauge. What is used is a magnetic base (a good one) and a dial indicator. Backlash is measured by setting the gauge up to push against the ring gear in parallel, zeroed out, then the ring gear is rocked back and forth to get the complete range of motion (or gap between the ring gear teeth and pinion teeth). It has been a long time but if I remember I think the spec is .08"-.15".
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Oct 30, 2005
#10
  • Oct 30, 2005
  • #10
I gotta think the spec is tighter than .15".....it's .06"-.08" on my Dana.
 

ram360

Founding Member
Oct 19, 2002
2,162
1
59
Pennsylvania
Oct 30, 2005
#11
  • Oct 30, 2005
  • #11
take the time to do it right. Check the backlash and make sure it's within spec. I figure it's better to do it right the first time, instead of having to redo everything later. I reshimed my new carrier and it took all of 15 min.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

3
Eight inches is enough for me...
  • 351MooseStang
  • Nov 27, 2025
  • 1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech
Replies
5
Views
577
1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech Mar 2, 2026
Bullitt347
J
2004 Mustang 3.8L V6 vibrations above 65 MPH and differential leaks
  • joeybuddy96
  • Mar 16, 2026
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
16
Views
585
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Jul 14, 2026
joeybuddy96
J
9
Will I feel a difference
  • 90Stanger302
  • Mar 12, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
5
Views
262
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Apr 13, 2026
Noobz347
S
Cobra 8.8 differential rebuild shop question
  • Sestemybe
  • Aug 5, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
348
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Nov 15, 2025
baileygruwell
B
Rear diff rebuild opinions
  • MrPerfect2
  • Oct 30, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
208
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 31, 2025
AeroCoupe
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?