Complete housings, carriers, spools, mini-spools, axles, housing ends, bearing and shim kits, pinion supports and yokes are all available from manufacturers such as Allstar Performance, Ford Racing, 9+, Ratech and Richmond. The popularity of the 9” Ford has caused the aftermarket to produce a wealth of heavy duty parts engineered primarily for racing applications. Heavy duty, aftermarket nodular iron and aluminum replacements are also readily available from Ford Racing and 9+. The most desirable center sections are made of sturdy nodular iron and can be easily identified by a large “N” cast in the outside of the casting. This feature allows racers to carry extra center sections that are fitted with different final drive ratios. Gear ratios can be quickly changed by removing the axles and driveshaft, unbolting the center section, exchanging the ring and pinion and reassembling. These axles have extra thick wall housings and are fitted with factory disc brakes, 28 spline axles, large ball type axle bearings, leaf spring mounting pads and a 58-1/2” axle width.Īll 9” rear axles share another benefit: a removable center section which allows the ring and pinion gears to be set-up on a bench, rather than in the housing. The only drawback is that these axles have a 9-3/8” diameter ring gear, however, a traditional 9” differential assembly can be easily interchanged.įavorites of leaf spring-equipped Camaro or Nova racers are the ‘79-’81 Lincoln Versailles and ‘77-’80 Ford Granada rear axles. Many of these units also have larger 3-1/4” axle tubes. This axle is outfitted with 31- spline axles, large ball-type axle bearings and is 61” wide.
#9 inch ford rear axle bearings full size
Some axles are more desirable than others.įavorites among circle track racers include the rear axles from in ‘66-’70 full size Fords and Mercurys, ‘71-’72 Lincolns and ‘68-’72 F100 Ford trucks.
Determine housing width by measuring the distance between the axle flanges located on the outward end of each axle tube. The 9” rear axle was manufactured in seven different housing widths, from 57-1/4” to 69-1/4” wide, any of which may be ideal for a particular chassis. The housings are also noted for sturdiness with material thicknesses ranging from. The gears and the carrier have proven to be significantly stronger than the 10 and 12-bolt Chevrolet, which use smaller 8-1/2” and 8-7/8” diameter ring gears, respectively. The Ford 9” was produced with 28 and 31 spline axles that even in their smallest form, are larger in diameter than those in the 10-bolt Chevrolet rear axle. Produced from 1957 to 1987 by the Ford Motor Company, it was used in full size Ford, Mercury and Lincoln passenger cars, ½ ton pickups and vans and even in some intermediates. The 9” Ford rear axle, so called because of a 9” ring gear diameter, is the choice of many circle track racers because of its strength, availability and ease of maintenance. Finally, using bearing retainers that secure the axle at the flange, versus a C-clip style that secure the axles at the differential, means in the case of axle failure the axle flange and wheel will stay with the housing and not leave the vehicle, potentially causing brake failure and lack of control on the racing surface.Loading Radios, Transponders & Scanners. This not easily accomplished with integral carrier axles, like the GM 10- and 12-bolt. Additionally, the Ford 9-inch utilizes a removable center section, often referred to as the Ford 9-inch pumpkin, Ford 9-inch chunk, Ford 9 inch third member, or even a Ford 9-inch pig! This allows quick gear ratio changes to accommodate different tracks or updates to your vehicle’s horsepower and torque ratings. The large 9-inch diameter ring gear (where the axle derives its name from), combined with its offset to the pinion gear makes for a larger ring and pinion contact surface area, increasing strength. Why is the Ford 9in rear end the “go to” rear axle for street and strip builds for over 70 years? The answer lies in several of the Ford 9-inch’s design aspects, starting with the Ford 9 inch gears.