I have a 93 f150 with the 3.55 ls rear end. I tried to take it apart to install axle seals the other day and I ran into a problem. I could not get the brass colored rod, i think its called a pinon rod or something, holding the top and bottom spider gears in out. In my 91 with 3.55 non ls, there was one small bolt holding it in place and it slid right out. I took the same small bolt out on this one and it wouldn't come out. My chilton's doesn't have anything about removing the axles on the ls rear end. It seems like there may be another bolt I can't get at under the ring gear. So I took out the 9 or 10 bolts holding the ring gear through the smaller sprocket looking thing, but the ring gear wouldn't come off. Also I am wondering what the limited slip actually does, i notice when I brake torque only one tire spins like a normal rear.

 

Your limited slip clutches are probably worn out so right now it is doing absolutely nothing. The ring gear has a little bit of a press fit onto the carrier so you would have to tap it off with a hammer even after all the bolts are out.

Back to your original question. There should just be that one small bolt holding the cross pin in place, once that bolt is out the pin should slide out so you can get at the C clips. It may just be stuck, can you get in there with a small screwdriver or pliers to work it back and forth? Its been a couple years since i had an 8.8 apart but i remember them coming out pretty easily.

-Jon

 

Check the keeper pin and make sure there is a 1/2" smooth part at the bottom of the threads. It could be that part has broken off and still has one thread engaged so the cross pin wont come out.

If you have threads to the bottom of the keeper pin, then part of it is broken off in there. The way we get them out when they break is a piece of brass or copper tubing that will fit in the keper pin hole, and a 6" long drill bit that fits inside the tubing. Using the tube as a guide, you can then drill the pin untill the cross pin will come out.

Its been a couple years since I had to do that, so I dont remember the sizes of tubing and drill bit.

 

Ok, thanks. I will check on that first thing sunday when I get some time. By limited slip clutches, do you mean those springs against the spiders, and are they replaceable.

 

I found this pretty good diagram of a limited slip rear end. The diffrential clutch pack tab on my driverside outside disc was bent down onto the spider gear and i tried to bend it back up. Is there anywhere I can buy these clutch discs? And how hard are they to replace. Should i just buy a new ls unit

 

He's probably right i have heard that it is common for the cross pin bolt to snap off that may be your problem.

As for your limited slip. Jeffsbroncograveyard.com has a clutch kit to rebuild your trac-lok for $45, they also have all the hard parts if you need to replace any of those. You can probably find rebuilt trac-lok carriers in ebay pretty cheap as well.

-Jon

 

how exactly does the limited slip work i.e. the springs and clutches?

 

Basically the springs push the clutches against the sidegears. When one wheel starts to spin faster than the other the clutches try to lock together and make the other wheel spin at the same speed. One popular mod for Mustang Trac-Loks is to install springs out of an F-150 Trac-Lok. The heavier springs help the Trac-Lok work better when your trying to launch with big slicks or drag radials.

-Jon

 

Well, I finally got around to putting in my new trak-lock clutches. What a project. I used thumpin's idea with the drill bit and tube. A lot easier said than done. LOL. But I finally got it out and everything was a breeze after that, except filling it back up with a gallon of gear lube and a tiny funnel.
Thanks for all the info guys, it really helped

 

Here's a slick little trick for filling hard to get at diffs, get a cheapo garden sprayer, pour your gear oil in it, pump it up, remove the spray tip so you just have the open hose end, stick it in the hole (it usually can be softened with a heat gun and bent to shape if needed) and pull the trigger.