I bought a ford 9inch housing, need help with axles

[Zone_4_Lanlord]

I purchased a bolt in 9" from quick performance in the past as well. They will sell you the axles you need. If I remember correctly you can choose from a couple different brands that they sell. I personally went with Moser because they pay contigency money at certain races. However, if that's not an issue, I'm sure that the other names would be fine for every day use. You won't be dissapointed with Quick Performance. And like others have stated, there will be a noticable difference in the length of each axle.

So did u have to do any modifications to the drive shaft, or did it bolt right up to the Ford center section. And can i still use my stock drum brakes

 

[Ribbedroof]

Just putting this out there.....something everybody should be aware of when choosing a housing

http://www.maliburacing.com/forum/viewt ... 2&t=102851

 

[Mike P]

To answer your questions, no your stock brakes will not fit the 9” housing and you will have to modify (shorten) or replace the drive shaft.

Not trying to be a smart *ss, but I think you are about to find that buying the housing was the cheap part of changing to a 9”.

Besides the axels (which you will want to specify as being drilled for a 5 on 4 3/4” bolt pattern rather than the standard Ford 5 on 4 1/2” ) you will need axel bearing and
Bearing retainer plates (the original Ford style bearing retainers have to be installed on the axel prior to the wheel bearings being pressed on, but there are aftermarket that can be slipped on after the bearings are installed.

Speaking of axels, you HAVE to figure out what carrier (the part the ring gear bolts to) you are going to be using. The third members (the assembly which includes the cast housing (commonly called the case), ring and pinion and carrier) come in two common configurations 28 spline and 31 spline and there are also aftermarket 35 spline units. The spline count refers to the number of splines on the end of the axel which mate to corresponding splines in the carrier. The higher the spline count the larger diameter (stronger) the axel. If you’re buying everything new it’s no big deal just make sure everything matches. If you try to save a few bucks by buying a third member assembly off E Bay, Craigslist or from a Junk Yard, you will have to match the carrier spline count to the axels you order (the 28 spline units were usually found in 60’s/70’s non-high performance passenger cars and the 31 spline units were/are normally found in pickup trucks. Just keep in mind that many used third members may need to be rebuilt/

For brakes, you will need the backing plates, hardware, shoes and drums or to upgrade to a rear disc set up. As I mentioned the stock brakes from your G Body rear end won’t work.

Here is a quick break down of what you can still need and can expect to spend

Axels $300

Bearings, retainers, studs: $125

Third member (housing, gears, Posi): Rebuilt $600-900

Third member (housing, gears, Posi): Used $250 and up

Drum Brakes: $300

Disc Brakes: $250 (but will require new lines and parking brakes add $250)

 

[nycutlass]

i did this install with rear disk setup if you need any more info let me know

 

[Chris Van]

So did u have to do any modifications to the drive shaft, or did it bolt right up to the Ford center section. And can i still use my stock drum brakes

I had a new aluminum driveshaft made for mine. And "no" the stock drive shaft will not bolt up to the 9" center section. Like someone else said (depending on the route you take with your 9 inch) the housing could be the cheapest part of this build....LOL
I wanted mine to be bullet proof so I went with Moser 35 spline axles, Strange aluminum center section and Wilwood disc brakes and like I said earlier, had a new aluminum driveshaft made also.
Yes I could have put a 9" in my car for about half (or even less than that) of what I spent on mine but I figured if I was spending the money to do it, I may as well do it like I wanted it. Plus my car sees it's share of transbrake launches in a years time, so I don't want to have to worry about the rearend giving up at any given time.

 

[Chris Van]

Just putting this out there.....something everybody should be aware of when choosing a housing

http://www.maliburacing.com/forum/viewt ... 2&t=102851

I have read this also. But for whatever it's worth to anyone else. I used a little RTV silicone when installing the axles and haven't had ANY issues with any leaks on mine.

 

[nycutlass]

i agree i never had a leak i put alittle RTV and im done i been building ford 9s for gbodys for a long time now and never ever had a problem leaking

Just putting this out there.....something everybody should be aware of when choosing a housing

http://www.maliburacing.com/forum/viewt ... 2&t=102851

I have read this also. But for whatever it's worth to anyone else. I used a little RTV silicone when installing the axles and haven't had ANY issues with any leaks on mine.

 

[Zone_4_Lanlord]

So did u have to do any modifications to the drive shaft, or did it bolt right up to the Ford center section. And can i still use my stock drum brakes

I had a new aluminum driveshaft made for mine. And "no" the stock drive shaft will not bolt up to the 9" center section. Like someone else said (depending on the route you take with your 9 inch) the housing could be the cheapest part of this build....LOL
I wanted mine to be bullet proof so I went with Moser 35 spline axles, Strange aluminum center section and Wilwood disc brakes and like I said earlier, had a new aluminum driveshaft made also.
Yes I could have put a 9" in my car for about half (or even less than that) of what I spent on mine but I figured if I was spending the money to do it, I may as well do it like I wanted it. Plus my car sees it's share of transbrake launches in a years time, so I don't want to have to worry about the rearend giving up at any given time.

So how much will i be lookin at for a new drive shaft, or to have mine modified for the center section

 

[Zone_4_Lanlord]

Dang i didnt know it was that much work involed. I was lookin for something that would bolt right up real easy no modifications and custom parts. I'm now thinking about selling the housing and finding an 8.5 housing.

 

[Mike P]

I believe with the 8.5 you’re still looking at shortening the drive shaft by an inch (and if the TH400 you have is a long tail shaft you definitely will be shortening it).

If you buy a complete drum to drum (or rotor to rotor) 9” it’s no more difficult to install than an 8.5 .........just at least twice as expensive. Most people have around $2000 invested by the time the 9” is in and connected. Some depending on upgrades have considerably more.