98 8.8" pinion bearing gone bad. swap to 9.75"?

[sharpshooter109]

well it looks like it is a lot harder to find a diff than i thought it would be. i cant find any 9.75's for a reasonable price. my next question is, can you add the factory limited slip function to an open diff? i dont think you can but its good to be positive. also, did any years other than 97 and 98 use the 9.75 or 8.8 rear with drums? thanks.

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[minimonster17]

you can add a LS unit, but it is going to involve tearing into the rear axle. 97-98 9.75's were the only year that used drum brakes.

[sharpshooter109]

were there any older trucks that used either the 9.75 or the 8.8?

[JMC]

You have to stick with the 1997-98 model years if you want drum brakes. Have you done a search on http://car-part.com ?

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[minimonster17]

No, Ford has only been using the 9.75 since 1997.

[sharpshooter109]

thanks. thats an awesome website jmc. and i would be willing to use an 8.8 if it was off an older truck but with that website i dont think i'll have to. thanks.

[sharpshooter109]

ok so i was looking at the link and it has a listing for the 9.75 with 3.55's for part numbers S908A, S908A1 and S908B and part numbers S909A, S909A1, S909B and S909C. what is the difference in those two listings? is there a website that has the axle codes? i found this site but i'm not sure if this is what i'm looking for? if it is then i think i found a 9.75 limited slip with 3.55's for $300

[JMC]

When they upgrade an axle they change the production code on the tag so you can order the correct internal parts for repairs. It really doesn't matter which one you get if you pick up the complete axle with the brake drums attached.. It may be important when you order parts for repairs.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

[sharpshooter109]

ok. thanks again!

[sharpshooter109]

ok. sorry for the long delay. i havent been on the site for a while. so my dad insisted that i take it to the stealership because they said that it would only cost like $300. i told him they were lying but he didnt believe me. so i took it there and they determined that the pinion bolt had been over torqued (probably when i had it in the shop to replace the pinion seal). they said they thought we were just having it brought in to replace the pinion seal, but i think they were lying through their teeth. almost a week later and an extra $600 over the $300 they originally said it would cost. so it cost me $900 for something that could have been prevented if i had gone to a reliable shop to fix the pinion seal. so i ended up settling with my 8.8" rear end with 3.55's and LS. but im just happy to have it fixed.

[Klitch]

Originally Posted by JMC

It slides off. Expect oil to drip out. I use a baggie and duct tape to seal the hole.

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pffft. thats overkill. LOL