Ford 8.8 Assembly & Set Up (Part 1) #FairmontProject

Here's (Part 1) of the Ford 8.8 differential assembly and set up. This took a little longer than expected, hence the need for a 2 part video.

Link to (Short Version): Link Posted when video becomes available
Link to (Final Assembly): Link Posted when video becomes available

This is a complete overview of how to assembly and set up a Ford 8.8 differential. It shows how to assemble the differential, set backlash, and set up the gear tooth pattern.

Camera: Brian Kast

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ETCG

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[flyingspur]

Just overhauled my 8.8 with all new bearings & new 3.31 ring & pinion gears.

Thanks to you & your amazing skill I was able to do this work with absolute confidence.

Thank you so much for sharing your work!

[GearBoxVideo]

Here's a tip for anyone doing rears that use crush sleeves. Crush sleeves or crush collars don't need to be installed during initial setup. If you set your pinion bearing preload lets say to 28 inch pounds. That will be the preload you will measure your setup distance or check your pattern against. Once you are happy with your pattern, then install the crush sleeve and crush it until you reach the same preload. The crush sleeve is necessary so that a torque preload is present on the pinion nut as well as a memory point in the event the pinion seal needs to be changed. In regards to carrier shims for backlash. If you are using the same carrier in the same housing measure the total height of both right and left sides. Record that number. However you juggle left and right thickness to obtain your needed backlash always keep that same stack height. This will assure proper carrier preload.

[djsutice]

Did this 1 year ago, on a GM 8.5, installed a Yukon Duragrip and the old 3.42 ring and pinon 40 year old stock gearset. As Paul said it was a lot better doing it without a crush-sleeve . But it took me 14 tries, swapping out carrier bearing shims, and juggeling pinion shims around to get it just rigth. A set up bearing is a must! But an extremley satisfying job in the end when it all works great without a sound :)

[mikehartmann]

The two things I like about this video are 1) A professional mechanic lets it all hang out and we get to see the struggles. A multitude of pros would never dare admit they struggle with a repair or procedure. And 2) An opportunity to see complex processes like this so we can decide if we can take it on ourselves, or take a pass. The two places I continue to fear to tread, as a back yard tinkerer, are transmissions and differentials. ETCG - Thanks for all your efforts.

[briansmobile]

Click → 1:42 imPRESSive! Made in the USA! Also, who makes a helpful 42 minute video with only 1 ad at the beginning? Eric does. You're the man!

[Pappderbarp]

My respect for this man grows with every video i watch of him. It's astonishing how much he knows.

[CubasAutomotive]

it's AWESOME that you made the long version too. It shows all the troubles we go through as mechanics when trying to do certain jobs. All the frustration that may arise & the abundance of patience needed. It's not just taking parts off & putting new parts back in.

[headhoncho]

Awesome video. The patience skill and resilience to get this right while making a video is impressive.

[abitoffcenter]

Yeah, I know this is an old vid. But thank you Eric for leaving all these up!! I'm "gearing up" 🤦‍♂to rebuild my 8.8 in my truck. I'll be getting rid of some factory parts and replacing them with much better Yukon parts (mainly the open diff. to a limited slip (or posi for the GM guys) This information is going to be tremendously helpful. I'm greatly appreciative for the walk through of this job!! Thank You Sir!!

[SackyX]

Need this done to my Mustang. I bought 3.73's and bearing kit. I'm personally can't install it but certainly gives me an idea to watch and see if the person installing it knows what they are doing. Thanks Eric, great video as always!

[HarryTwatter]

Watching all these videos really makes me appreciate my mechanic more.

[rhkips]

Properly setting up a differential is so tedious! I've only ever done it once, so videos like this are a great learning experience!

Thanks for taking the time to go through the steps with us, Eric! You rock! :D

[chadbaesler]

Hey Eric, screw the negative comments . I like how you didn’t edit it like your perfect and don’t make minor mistakes. I’m building a beefy Yukon 8.8 and never delt with a rear end only engines. Your vids on this guided me on this significantly. Granted I had to buy a crush sleeve 3 times because I’m way to impatient and rush crap. But thanks for all these details vids, you helped this Minnesotan ding dong significantly!

[martincarey]

Patience is a virtue, young Eric!!....and a skill that very few people possess these days :-)
Really enjoying this project :-)

[DiggerXX]

Have to swap my rear diff and pinion. 1997 Ford Ranger. Old one ran dry, tore up pinion carrier bearings, chipped some teeth. This series is my primary source of learning. I think I get it now. Thank you!

[josephjorgensen]

I have never had to do this before but i have listened to friends talk about doing this and with this video i understands allot more then ever before thank you

[haydensgirl]

dude this is awesome nobody else has ever explained preload in a way i understood before thank you

[Cubansoilder]

Finally i understand how to set backlash as every other person just does it and fast forwards which doesnt let me see crap!!! Thank you etcg!

[boomstickkid]

nice video, but you dont need a new crush sleeve when checking pinion depth. only after you have achieved proper pinion depth and gear pattern and are ready to put the pinion in for good you can use a new crush sleeve.

just use the old one for setup.

[mytten]

I dont even work on my car myself, but i love watching stuff like this! ;)