I am about to reinstall the axle shafts in my Versailles rear end. I am getting the new bearings pressed on the axles this week. I have a concern about the bearings. I put one of the new bearings up to the axle tube and I seems like it will fit really tight. When I reinstall them I don't want to damage them. Is there a trick to this?
Versailles Axle Re-Install
- Thread starter tx65coupe
- Start date
No, they should fit tight. At least I'm assuming you're talking about the race fitting tight to the housing which it should.
Don't forget the inner and outer seals as well. The outer seal can only be replaced when the bearing is out since it's part of the caliper bracket.
I guess you've already ordered bearings, but what I did on mine is replace the factory type bearings with a tapered bearing which is heavier duty. It also eliminates the inner seal. I bought mine with my replacement axles from Moser Engineering.
Don't forget the inner and outer seals as well. The outer seal can only be replaced when the bearing is out since it's part of the caliper bracket.
I guess you've already ordered bearings, but what I did on mine is replace the factory type bearings with a tapered bearing which is heavier duty. It also eliminates the inner seal. I bought mine with my replacement axles from Moser Engineering.
Yeah I already have all the replacement bearings and seals.
I have the seal that presses into the caliper/axle flange bracket. That is already installed in the bracket. Do I need to put some grease on it before the bearings are pressed on?
I also have the flange gasket that has the 4 bolt holes in it.
The 302 that is going in my car is about 350 hp and is naturally aspirated, so I think the stock Lincoln stuff will be fine.
Question on the axle bearings though. Since they are the sealed type, do they need any special treatment before being installed?
I have the seal that presses into the caliper/axle flange bracket. That is already installed in the bracket. Do I need to put some grease on it before the bearings are pressed on?
I also have the flange gasket that has the 4 bolt holes in it.
The 302 that is going in my car is about 350 hp and is naturally aspirated, so I think the stock Lincoln stuff will be fine.
Question on the axle bearings though. Since they are the sealed type, do they need any special treatment before being installed?
You're missing a seal. There's an inner seal that goes inside the housing itself.
As far as special treatment, far as I know you just coat them lightly with diff oil before installing. Adds a little extra lubrication at initial start.
If you don't have a repair manual. This link has a little extra info (although some doesn't apply to Versailles) AutoZone.com | Vehicle Selection - Year
Thanks for pointing that out. That could have been a big waste of time to have to pull it all apart again.
I wonder why the 9 inch has so many seals. The 8.8 in my 95 F150 only has the one seal in the axle tube.
Sorry I forgot to mention that one. I have it as well. What's your preferred method for reinstalling those seals? I have a peice of PVC pipe that is the same size that I can use to tap it in place with a rubber mallet or hammer.
I got the bearings and retainers pressed on yesterday.
I wonder why the 9 inch has so many seals. The 8.8 in my 95 F150 only has the one seal in the axle tube.
Sorry I forgot to mention that one. I have it as well. What's your preferred method for reinstalling those seals? I have a peice of PVC pipe that is the same size that I can use to tap it in place with a rubber mallet or hammer.
I got the bearings and retainers pressed on yesterday.
I think we did mine the first time with a large socket or piece of pipe... been a long time.
Yeah, too many seals for me. The factory seals always leaked on mine, but I think that could ultimately be ruled to be a result of the bent axle I had... Too many seals though is one reason why I put in the tapered bearings after I broke the axles.
Yeah, too many seals for me. The factory seals always leaked on mine, but I think that could ultimately be ruled to be a result of the bent axle I had... Too many seals though is one reason why I put in the tapered bearings after I broke the axles.
Broke 1 axle on the starting line at the drag strip which in turn broke my Currie center section (busted a bearing cap off and trashed the diff pretty good). Found out the axles were slightly bent (junkyard rearend) which weakened them.
Had over 120 drag strip passes on them (using DRs), maybe 20k street miles on it. Car makes some good power (dynoed 325 to the ground and 317 torque) and low gears (3.73 with TKO).
I wouldn't worry too much as long as your axles are straight and the splines look to be in good order and you're not drag racing the thing real often. I've since put in Moser 31 spline axles and a 31 spline center section.
Had over 120 drag strip passes on them (using DRs), maybe 20k street miles on it. Car makes some good power (dynoed 325 to the ground and 317 torque) and low gears (3.73 with TKO).
I wouldn't worry too much as long as your axles are straight and the splines look to be in good order and you're not drag racing the thing real often. I've since put in Moser 31 spline axles and a 31 spline center section.
That sucks that your Currie center got trashed as well. At least you had the excuse to go with the 31 spline stuff. If I ever have any problems down the road, I will probably upgrade as well.
I got the rebuilt center section with 3.50 gears and a new T-lock installed along with the axles etc today. I wonder if I should have gone with 3.70 gears.
I got the rebuilt center section with 3.50 gears and a new T-lock installed along with the axles etc today. I wonder if I should have gone with 3.70 gears.
Depends on the powerband you've got. I spin mine to 6500 and have 3.70s. When I first put in the new center section it had 4.11s, but those were too steep and went back to the 3.70s.
The guys at the place where we are probably going to get our crate motor said that they recommended around a 3.50 gear set. I just wonder if 3.70 would be more fun. Oh well.
Did you do anything to correct the pinion angle when you installed your Versailles axle? I have read a bunch of tech articles and none of them mentioned this, but one said that the pinion angle is off. Apparently it is angled up slightly. The rear of my car is going to be raised up about 1 inch, so I don't think it will matter. I think it is more of a concern on lowered cars.
Did you do anything to correct the pinion angle when you installed your Versailles axle? I have read a bunch of tech articles and none of them mentioned this, but one said that the pinion angle is off. Apparently it is angled up slightly. The rear of my car is going to be raised up about 1 inch, so I don't think it will matter. I think it is more of a concern on lowered cars.
Yes. Had 4 degree shims to raise the pinion up. Used a Dark Horse crossmember which required a 3/4" spacer at the back to get the driveline angles to line up. Naturally this required the tunnel to be "clearanced".
Have you measured your angle yet? I think I still have the original shims. Wouldn't drive around on them, but you could at least slip them in to see if it's a reasonable angle for you.
Have you measured your angle yet? I think I still have the original shims. Wouldn't drive around on them, but you could at least slip them in to see if it's a reasonable angle for you.
With the rear axle sittin level on the spring perches, it looks like the pinion is already angled up slightly.
I tried to go to the dark horse website but it is undergoing maintanance.
I have a Modern Driveline T5 crossmember that I will be using. There is no motor or trans in the car right now. I have a T5. We won't be ordering our crate motor for a month or so.
Thats cool you have some original shims. Are they original to your Mustang or a Lincoln? Mine never had any shims. I didn't know that any of them came that way.
The rear of my car is also raised about an inch. I kept having tires hit the fender. I don't like having the rear sag low anyway.
I tried to go to the dark horse website but it is undergoing maintanance.
I have a Modern Driveline T5 crossmember that I will be using. There is no motor or trans in the car right now. I have a T5. We won't be ordering our crate motor for a month or so.
Thats cool you have some original shims. Are they original to your Mustang or a Lincoln? Mine never had any shims. I didn't know that any of them came that way.
The rear of my car is also raised about an inch. I kept having tires hit the fender. I don't like having the rear sag low anyway.
Meant they were the first set of shims we bought. Had to get another set since I had to replace the pins through the springs due to them breaking and the new pins had larger heads on them.
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