[daughtersride]

After getting the little stang running great found rear end howling. Inspection shows metal shavings in the pumpkin. What would be the newest differential that will fit this car. 1992 2.3L convertible, automatic. Any help would be appreciated. Michael

[daughtersride]

anyone? Please.

[b_chandler]

Sorry, it's just an odd question. The newest? Are you looking for a junkyard replacement or something? I guess I don't follow.

If it were me (and it has been before) I'd just rebuild what's in the car now. It's your daughter's car right? so we're not talking about track days or hard launches. New ring and pinion, and new bearings and it'll be just fine. If it's too much or you're not sure, take it to a shop. The money you spend with them will be less than the money you could spend screwing it up at home.

[daughtersride]

I was looking for a junk yard type deal. We'll look into the price from a shop. I really don't have the time to tear into one. I thought it would be easier to just swap one out. I was hoping a newer rear end would fit with no modifications. Thoughts?

[b_chandler]

The only direct, bolt-in replacement would be from another Mustang. That being said, the last of the Fox body Mustangs were made in '93. Even then, a rear axle out of a V8 car will require you to modify the rear brake line since they run down the opposite side of the vehicle from their 4cyl. counterparts.

The 94 and later Mustangs kept the same mounting dimensions, but the housing is slightly wider and depending on the particular axle could require rerouting the main brake line and/or modifying the parking brake (rear disk brake models).

I miss the days of the old 8" and 9" rear axles with front loading differentials. You could swap the center sections out easily and do all of the gear setup on a bench without removing the entire rear end from the car.

[daughtersride]

Originally Posted by b_chandler

The only direct, bolt-in replacement would be from another Mustang. That being said, the last of the Fox body Mustangs were made in '93. Even then, a rear axle out of a V8 car will require you to modify the rear brake line since they run down the opposite side of the vehicle from their 4cyl. counterparts.

The 94 and later Mustangs kept the same mounting dimensions, but the housing is slightly wider and depending on the particular axle could require rerouting the main brake line and/or modifying the parking brake (rear disk brake models).

I miss the days of the old 8" and 9" rear axles with front loading differentials. You could swap the center sections out easily and do all of the gear setup on a bench without removing the entire rear end from the car.

Thank you. This is exactly what I was looking for . Next question would be instruction literature to make rebuild work possible for me. I am pretty skilled and have most tools to make needed repairs.
Thoughts on instructions?

[b_chandler]

Search for magazine and/or forum articles on 8.8 axle rebuilds. The 7.5 that's under your daughter's car has alot in common with the 8.8. Some of the tolerances may be different, but the basic teardown/assembly procedure is the same. You might be able to find more 7.5 specific info over at TheRangerStation.com

Good luck!

[daughtersride]

Thank you for the information.

[86mustang2.3]

the rear ends out of 94 -04 mustangs work but there is a little bit of work for the disc brake set up and they are a 8.8 and a little wider

[SloPony]

If your just going to change out the ring and pinion as I have done a few times, a little hint about getting that rascle out of there is once you've pulled out the axel shafts, and removed the bearing caps, you will find that dynamite won't budge that thing. Heres what ya do (sounds wierd, but works) take a ragand feed it into the space where the ring and pinion mesh together and rotate the pinion yoke(where the drive shaft bolts on), and just make the gears eat the rag. You will eventually pop the carrier out of the housing. Putting it back together is easy though.
Hope that little tip helps.

[daughtersride]

Thanks for the tip