Thread: 8 inch Ford Rear

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OK, replaced u-joints in drive shaft for vibration. Now, I find out I have a bad rear. Anyone know a website or book that tells me or shows me how to replace a 8" Ford Third Member? Don't know what it's out of, just that it's an 8 inch early Ford rear. Not replacing the whole rear assembly just the center section. I know I have to pull axles and stuff. Just not sure on what to do. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Pull the axles, remove the center section. Nothing to it.

OK, it's not a big deal to pull the axles? I've never had to do this before. Any thing special I need to know? Thanks for your response.

Jack the car and put it on stands. Pull the wheels, and remove the drums. There are 4 bolts that hold the axle retainers on each side. there is a hole in the axle flange that you should be able to rotate to access the bolts with a socket on an extension. Remove the bolts and the axles should pull right out. Remove the drive shaft, tape up the ujoint to keep the caps from coming off. Put a drain pan under the rear end, some have a drain plug and others don't. Drain the fluid if you can other wise just remove the bolts and the 3rd member should pull right out. Its a great time to check seals and bearings as long as you have it apart.

That's how I would do it, chime in folks if I forgot something.

Pat

Nope, a lot more detailed than mine Pat. I guess I assume to much, huh??? If the axles won't pull right out, check with a parts store or a tool rental place to see if they have the big slide hammer to pop the axles loose.

Pull right out? Gosh I have never been that lucky. I finally bought a slide hammer just to accomplish that task. By the way , that third member is not light. Pulling it off of the studs and into your laps while under the vehicle won't be fun. I use a trans jack that I bought at Harbor Frieght [$30 or 40] to slide mine on to. I will admit doing this when I was a kid was easier than it is now, but it is always a chore. In a car that is mobile, I would just take it to a shop that rebuilds third members and let them do it all.

Hey Joe, does this mean you got older or wiser ??????????? I have a friend who is about 6' 4" and weighs 240, we call him Egor and let him do the heavy duty toting.!!!!!

OK, I have taken the four bolts off. Now I have been beating for almost an hour. The axle still won't move. I has even put nut buster on it. Is this logical? I know it's rusted but WOW this is a job. No, the car is not mobile so I have to do it. Thanks for your help and response!

Iv'e never been lucky enough for it to slide right out !!!!!!!!!!
Try this, put the brake drum on the lugs reversed (backwards), put the lug nuts on reversed(backwards) and only screw em on 3 or 4 turns, now push the drum all the way to the axle flange and sharply yank it back against the lug nuts, If this won't pop the axles out you might as well go buy or rent a slide hammer.....

I had forgot about the drum technique. I know it works, I saw it done on the side of the road once. No amount of penetrant will help, just muscle. Worth a try.

Originally posted by Dave Severson
Hey Joe, does this mean you got older or wiser ??????????? I have a friend who is about 6' 4" and weighs 240, we call him Egor and let him do the heavy duty toting.!!!!!

I am glad to be older, [the alternative is a lousy option], wiser is certainly in question, but I have learned more about my limits. As a teen I had no choice but to pull it myself, as a young man I thought I "had" to pull it myself, now I only do it when I have to. But it is still fun, and I am gratefull for that. Joe

OK, I went and bought a slide hammer. One quick question. Before I start pounding again. Someone told me I have to remove the brakes and backing plate. Is this true? Thanks for your help!

Originally posted by Steel Warrior
OK, I went and bought a slide hammer. One quick question. Before I start pounding again. Someone told me I have to remove the brakes and backing plate. Is this true? Thanks for your help!

No you dont hafta remove them !!!!!!

I really want to thank you all for your help. But, I can't replace that rear myself. It's talking about prior to disassembly, measure and record ring and pinion backlash etc. I'm a novice and don't know where to start with that. I thought you just pull one out and bolt the new in it's place and slide your axles back in. I guess it's going to cost me big bucks for this job!! Thanks again!!

Once you have the third member out you can bring it to a shop and they can rebuild it, after it's rebuilt you can put it back in. THe backlash is for setting up the gears if you had planned on replacing them. The third member rears are great because you can just replace that section without pulling the whole rear end out. YOu can do it.