Re: Possible to tighten spider gears on Ford 8-inch?

"Neil Nelson" <nonelson@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:nonelson-D7A3AC.07001715032004@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> The slop you're trying to eliminate is no doubt the result of the
> 'differential pinion' and 'side gears' (spider gears) wearing
> into the differential case.  Sometimes this slop can be
> eliminated by doubling up the thrust washers that fit inbetween
> the differential case and the spider gears, otherwise, the repair
> would be to replace the worn out differential case.

When you refer to the "differential case", is that the section that the
ring
gear is mounted to and that the differential gears are inside of? Do they
even make replacements for this for the Ford 8" any more?

>
> Sad to say but, this is the beginning of the end for that gear
> set.

Egads...What have I done? (dramatic strings in background) Well.... How
long
on a conservative estimate would you expect it to last this way if it's
got
new oil and driven mostly highway about 40 miles a day and light city
driving? Seems to be working fine so far. I have another one just like it
in
the attic. I guess I'm just wondering about replacement pieces, if they
even
exist.

The other symptom is a decided "kla-chunk" when the trans down****fts from
2nd to 1st when deccelerating to a slow roll. Does that sound like spider
gears?