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Tech: 9" Ford Axle Measurements:

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Drive Em, Apr 3, 2008.

  1. Drive Em
    Joined: Aug 25, 2006
    Posts: 1,748

    Drive Em
    Member

    I see alot of questions and posts about measuring for axles on a 9" Ford. Since I build these everyday, I figured I would pass along some tips on how to measure for axle width.

    There are a couple of terms that are needed when measuring:

    Total width-this is the total width of the assembled rear end measured from the outside of one axle flange to the outside of the other. Backing plate to backing plate means nothing when measuring for a rear end so forget about that way of measuring.

    Housing width-is the total width of the housing from the outside of the housing on one side to the outside on the other.

    Centered pinion- to have a centered pinion, the left axle has to be 4" shorter than the right axle in all cases.

    Brake offset-this is the measurement from the outside of the axle flange to the edge of the bearing retainer plate that bolts to the housing. Large bearing 9" housings have a 2 3/8" brake offset, and small bearing 9" housings have a 2 1/2" brake offset. There are also others such as 2" and 2 1/4", but you better have the drums and backing plates that go with those offsets or you could be in trouble as far as finding brakes to fit.

    Space between the axles- this is the space between the left and right axles when the axles are bolted in the housing, which is 1.125" for all 9" rears whether you have a locker, spool, posi or open diff.

    So lets figure out the axle lengths on a 58" total width big bearing 9".

    First we divide the 58" total width by 2.
    58/2= 29

    Next we subtract half of 1.125(space between the axles) from 29".
    29"-.562"= 28.438"

    Now we take 28.438", and because the right side axle is longer, we add 2" to that length.
    28.438"+2"=30.438"

    Our right side axle length is 30.438"

    We do the same with the left axle, except we subtract 2" from the length.
    28.438"-2" = 26.438"

    Our right side axle length is 26.438".

    We can check to see if everything is correct by adding everyting together.

    30.438"-right side axle length
    26.438"-left side axle length
    + 1.125"-space between the axles
    =58"- which was our total width to start with

    We can figure the housing width by taking the total width and subtracting the brake offset x 2.

    The housing is a big bearing housing, so the brake offset is 2 3/8".

    We need to subtract the brake offset from each side, so we multiply times two.

    2 3/8" x 2 = 4.750"

    58"-total rear end width
    - 4.750"-brake offset x 2
    =53.750"-housing width

    You can use these formulas to figure your axle lengths and housing widths as long as you know the total width. In the next post, I'll show you how to narrow a housing.
     
  2. 34toddster
    Joined: Mar 28, 2006
    Posts: 1,482

    34toddster
    Member
    from Missouri

    Good info thanks DE
     
  3. 65 impala
    Joined: Jan 12, 2007
    Posts: 1,091

    65 impala
    Member

    good info was a little rusty on it.
     
  4. fish3495
    Joined: Apr 25, 2006
    Posts: 111

    fish3495
    Member

    Keep going, I'm shortening one in a couple of weeks.

    Thanks
     

  5. That is indeed what I was asking for in another post. Thanks!
     
  6. rstanberry
    Joined: Dec 22, 2007
    Posts: 202

    rstanberry
    Member
    from terrell tx

    how bout some info on adjustments?? i.e. taking out some of the slop in the pinion. can this be done on a used (junk yard) rear or does it need to be rebuilt?
     
  7. Prop Strike
    Joined: Feb 18, 2006
    Posts: 651

    Prop Strike
    Member

    Good info. Thanks
     
  8. timmy t
    Joined: Mar 16, 2008
    Posts: 207

    timmy t
    Member

    Does the same hold true with an 8 in.
     
  9. Scott
    Joined: Dec 23, 2004
    Posts: 2,764

    Scott
    Member

    Does that mean the pumpkin is centered? if not what is the difference between center pumpkin and center pinion?
     
  10. sufoowt
    Joined: Aug 16, 2005
    Posts: 122

    sufoowt
    Member

    Drive em isn't 58 - 4.750 = 53.250 or did I miss something? (ps thanks for all the great info)
    Scott If you look at the "pumpkin" from the yoke end you will see that the pinion is offset to one side 2 inches. Thus 2 different axle length if you want the pinion centered. If you want the housing to look centered from the back the axles will be the same length but the pinion will be off center. Both ways work just depends on what you are looking for or have to work with.
    Fred
     
  11. Iceberg460
    Joined: Jun 6, 2007
    Posts: 880

    Iceberg460
    Member

    Great info Drive Em!!
     
  12. Drive Em
    Joined: Aug 25, 2006
    Posts: 1,748

    Drive Em
    Member

    My mistake, I corrected it above.
     
  13. CalGasser
    Joined: Apr 11, 2005
    Posts: 793

    CalGasser
    Member

    I have an early housing (round back) with big bearing. Can you recommend someone for some backing plate and large brakes?
     
  14. Drive Em
    Joined: Aug 25, 2006
    Posts: 1,748

    Drive Em
    Member

    The big bearing early housing has the large (1/2")mounting holes, so any later model big bearing/big mounting hole backing plates should work, as long as the brake offset is the same. The later brake offset is 2 3/8".
     
  15. therecruiter
    Joined: Jul 26, 2009
    Posts: 3

    therecruiter
    Member
    from FORT POLK

  16. dirtbag13
    Joined: Jun 16, 2008
    Posts: 2,540

    dirtbag13
    Member

  17. Retro Jim
    Joined: May 27, 2007
    Posts: 3,854

    Retro Jim
    Member

    AND THE SECOND MOST IMPORTAN is...
    http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=124310

    if you looking to avoid buying a 300+ jig[/QUOTE]
    __________________________________________________________________
    That's why you pay a Pro to do it and it won't cost you that much either !
     
  18. Retro Jim
    Joined: May 27, 2007
    Posts: 3,854

    Retro Jim
    Member

    Thanks for the great information ! That will really help when ordering new axles !
     
  19. Larry T
    Joined: Nov 24, 2004
    Posts: 7,875

    Larry T
    Member

     

    Attached Files:

  20. therecruiter
    Joined: Jul 26, 2009
    Posts: 3

    therecruiter
    Member
    from FORT POLK

    __________________________________________________________________
    That's why you pay a Pro to do it and it won't cost you that much either ![/QUOTE]


    Paying a "PRO" defeat the purpose of "DO IT YOU SELF"
     
  21. mechanic58
    Joined: Mar 21, 2010
    Posts: 681

    mechanic58
    Member

    Here's another handy tip - the pinion on a 9" Ford is offset approximately .970" from the centerline of the third member. That equates to about 31/32". This measurement comes in handy when you're narrowing a housing and you need to have the pinion centered.
     

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