REAR END HELP, PLEASE HELP

[Black1987Stang]

My rear end is shot, its a stock 8.8 with 373's, it has alot of backlash but what I'm worried about is I have Alot of axle end play in and out, like at least 1/4 an inch or more. When I'm driving straight and turn left and right quick the rear end feels like it's floating back and forth, best I can describe it. I just want to fix this problem until springtime when I will swap it with a whole nother rear end with 355's and 31 spline everything. What will I need to replace, the c-clips?

 

[90 lx convert]

Well, the floating rear thing is more related to the control arms. If the arms are stock then they're probably wore out. If they're aftermarket arms with poly bushings then I'd check the torque boxes. Mounting holes and spot welds are two areas to check. The 1/4 in play is a little exessive but not horrible. As for replacing the C clips that's a pretty easy job. Just a bit messy. The clips slide onto the end of the axle so that slot on the axle may be wore too.

 

[Black1987Stang]

Well, the floating rear thing is more related to the control arms. If the arms are stock then they're probably wore out. If they're aftermarket arms with poly bushings then I'd check the torque boxes. Mounting holes and spot welds are two areas to check. The 1/4 in play is a little exessive but not horrible. As for replacing the C clips that's a pretty easy job. Just a bit messy. The clips slide onto the end of the axle so that slot on the axle may be wore too.

Well I never really noticed the huge amount of axle endplay till not to long ago when I did the back brakes, I'm sure the control arm bushings arent in the best shape but I just noticed it driving like this and I would bet the rear is more of the problem. If I shake my car side to side when it's parked you hear CLUNK CLUNK CLUNK.....I have new c-clips, pin and bolt straight from Ford so I can swap them in when I got time.

 

[67coupe]

Axle end play is caused by worn out clutch disks (assuming the rear end is stock). If the disks are worn or rebuilt incorrectly, the axle has room to move in btw the cross pin and where the c-clip hits the spider gear.

Before I installed the 3.73's, the axles had some end play. During the install, I installed new clutch's. I had it shimmed so tight, I almost wasn't able to install the cross pin. Now the axles have zero end play.