Ford 8.8" rear end Traction-Lok clutch setups

[ChevyIIman2]

I have a 96 8.8 and want to change clutches. Will I get more traction with the 6 carbon fiber setup as to the standard 8 fiber plate to each side.

[BadShoeProductions]

@ChevyIIman2 I don't think there's much difference.

[funshootin1]

Some effort ...LOL! I did it by compressing the s spring in a vise and using a high quality thin stainless wire ( kinda like safety wire ) ...the wire was wrapped around several times on each end and tightened via twisting. Kinda scary and I treated it like a bomb ...but it worked. That is one serious spring.

[BadShoeProductions]

@funshootin1 I think the visegrip method is earier and safer. I might add that short clip if enough people is interested.

[funshootin1]

All your vids are great ...putting an exploder 8.8 in my Jeep tj, was running Lincoln locked 8.25 ...ran a traclok dana35 and preferred that over welded rear. Snow and mud a real tight limited slip just seems a bit easier especially on side angles. A vids on assembly of the traclok including wiggling of spiders and dreaded s spring would be awesome ( colorful and entertaining too LOL )... anyway great vids, thanks for taking the time to make them.

[BadShoeProductions]

@funshootin1 Rotating the spiders into place with the correct pack clearance isn't a problem. Putting the S spring in takes some effort. I show how to use needle nose visegrips in the full length DVD to get the job done.

[zach9802]

is the 9.75 bigger than the ford 9 inch

[BadShoeProductions]

@zach9802 Yes, a 9.75" is larger.

[marek0086]

@zach9802~ is 9.75 a larger number than 9.0 ?!

[BadShoeProductions]

@marek0086 yep

[marek0086]

@BadShoeProductions~ it was a rhetorical question to the other guy.

[dupont4sure]

hi i was wondering if you could help me my problem is i have a vibration when im slowing down speeds i changed the u joints tranny mount if you put my 92 mustang on jackstands and run the car and put your hands on the differential cover it kinda feels like somethings wrong could it be thosse shims or something i think it is all original any advice would help oh and the driveshaft looks fine and its a new tranny thank you

[BadShoeProductions]

@dupont4sure I have no idea what you have but I dought it would be the traction-lok. Normally a shudder from a clutch pack will only be felt turning in a curve. It might be best to take it to a shop you like to deal with so they can drive it.

[BadShoeProductions]

@civic372 Your likely ok but when the axles are installed, see how much end play the axle shafts have.

[EASTOAKLANDSS]

i needed this advice today thanks..

[thepunisher30705]

Hey man, i have a question. I have a 86 bronco. it has the ford 9 in it. i pulled the tag and it says i have a 3L50 which is the 350 gear traction lock. BUT no matter what i do it will only spin one tire. Could you help me out and tell me whats wrong with it? Im thinking Clutch packs are bad, BUT i dont know for sure. any idea would help! Thanks

[BadShoeProductions]

@thepunisher30705 It's likely worn out or someone as swapped in an open carrier.

[SternLX]

Actually I found the best 3 disc layout not to be:

Gear-S-F-S-S-F-S-F-Shim

I reverse the last 4 in the pack so the shim isn't riding on a Fiber, Or:

Gear-S-F-S-F-S-F-S-Shim

Note it alternates and 2 steels are never together. The original stack in the 80's was to control heat between the fibers. Use the newer Carbon discs and heat becomes a non-issue.

[BadShoeProductions]

@SternLX I've found that is not a good idea. The newer thicker plates and fibers that are produced now causes the last steel not to have enough spline contact on the side gear using the SFSFSFS shim.

[2rzTacoSr5]

@BadShoeProductions i still would think the F-S-F-S-F-S-F is slightly more contact than your favored setup. with your setup you get 3 fibers with full contact on both sides so 6 sides of coverage. with the 4 fiber setup you get 90% contact on the first side of the first fiber and full contact on its other side. (1.9 sides of coverage) then the two center fibers get full contact on both sides so (5.9) then the steel side of the last fiber gets contact putting you at 6.9 sides of coverage.

[BadShoeProductions]

@2rzTacoSr5 Sure, and I've done the 8 fiber setup as well. Many of the newer side gears only half about 50% contact and it's unclear if more fibers last longer or gives you more lock action than just using a tight 6 fiber setup. I haven't seen where the aftermarket sells any 8 fiber kits which tells me they don't see a value in it. But there's lots of guys that really believe in the extra plates and that's okay by me.

[351capri]

I have a question, in a trac loc rebuild kit from ford racing, they only give you 6 steels and 6 fibers, I have a 93 GT 8.8 rear, am i supposed to use two old steel shims that are shiny to work with this setup?

[BadShoeProductions]

@351capri There should be eight internal splined steels in the kit. Looks like you got shorted. You could just use two of your old steels.

[ed9diaz]

noob Question: do foxbody mustang lx's come stock with a traction lok differential? my cousin only says the gt's came with it.

[BadShoeProductions]

@ed9diaz 85 and later V8 Mustangs with 8.8" rears have the TL. 4 and 6 cyl. Mustangs will normally have 7.5" open rears.

[ed9diaz]

@BadShoeProductions  thanks for your answer!!!

[TheTundrawolf]

I have a Ford IRS 2005 8.8 that I am putting a new clutch pack in. I have never worked on a differential before, so this video is a huge help. Thanks!

[scrochy66]

so what is so different about the 9.75 from the 8.8? if the clutch packs are worn then when you take it out what has to be replaced besides the packs when they go in and how should they go? any further adjustment with the ring & pinion? install will be done on the truck, thanks!

[BadShoeProductions]

@scrochy66 Working on a 9.75" is pretty much like an 8.8" however the traction-lok is a good bit different. The 8.8" TL can be removed with the carrier still in the rear end housing. You have to remove the carrier and some special compressing tools are needed to remove the TL clutch pack on the 9.75".

[lilmel2002]

ok random question...i have a 95 bird....i want a track lock rear in it but i cant seem to find out what vehicle to get it from.......the salvage yard has no clue niether does ford they say it isnt possible cuz i have an independant rear end i know thats not true i kno someone who can modify it i just need 2 kno out of what ford 2 acquire it......please assist

[BadShoeProductions]

Normally, only the SuperCoupes had iron IRS 8.8" rear's with traction-lok. and 28 spline half shafts. If you can't find a SC, then buy a traction-lok carrier from Ford Racing.

[garafol3]

Really great video, my question is, how do you know when the clutches are wore out?? I have a 1999 mustang with a trac-loc and the drivers side has a lot of axle endplay and the passenger side hardly has any. The passenger side seems to do all the spinning. Does that mean the clutches are wore out and need to be replaced on the drivers side.? If so then ill be attempting this project.

[BadShoeProductions]

It's very likely you have worn clutches. You'll have to pull the inspection plate, pull the axles and remove the clutch packs to see what you have. Always do both sides when making a repair.

[vaugeois1985]

sound like the clutches are worn trac-lok is not working any more

[bsusrnme]

Are you measuring the new pack wet, after soaking in new fluid? Or dry, before pre-soaking?

[BadShoeProductions]

Measurement should be taken with wet clutches.

[Chauvinisticzero]

Great video..Thanks for the upload

[javiscancino]

we just cheked our ford 8.8 today and i noticed that there was no spring between the spiders,. what do you think about that,.

[BadShoeProductions]

Are you sure it's a traction-lok? If it is, most likely someone has worked on it and left the spring out.

[javiscancino]

yes, someone had worked on it and forgot to put the spring in, already fix that,

[aaronsamuelson]

why not set it up like this: gear, steel, clutch, steel, clutch, steel, clutch, steel, shim instead of gear SCSSCSC shim?

my theory is you would have more contact area on the last clutch vs having it riding against the shim (which freespins) or would steel against the shim ruin the shim/steel?

[BadShoeProductions]

No, I've found that the teeth on the last steel plate does not touch the splines on the gear when stacked gearSCSCSCSshim.

[goldengreek75]

hi there thanks for the great video.

quick question: is your recommendation of fiber, steel, and shim arrangement pretty much across the board, or would this be exclusively for an 8.8 traklock?

thanks

[BadShoeProductions]

This video only applies to the 8.8". The 9.75"/10.5" and the Dana are completely different.

[lemansz]

Kenneth,

How thick can you go with the pack as a whole before you start runnign into trouble? I was about to install 4 clutch plates in my car to use as a road track car.

Thx

[BadShoeProductions]

Using the method shown in the clip, I've found that .660" is about max. After that, it's going to be very hard to get the spider gear pin installed.

[aaasshole]

thats a very good video thats also why I put in a locker in my stang no more clutches to wear out.

[performancemotors]

great stuff would love to feature some of your stuff on my show