Well, there goes a wad of money...

[PinkieT]

Years ago I swapped my stock 2-something rear axle for one from a Cobra from a guy upgrading to a 9 inch for his turbo motor. Well, I started getting whining on acceleration and a clank sometimes when I stop. Pulled the fill plug and look what I found... Got a quote for $1,200 to $1,400 if gears are needed, more if the limited slip is bad too. $800 if just bearings. Yikes!

 

[dwcopple]

Get more quotes. That's ripoff pricing

 

[PinkieT]

Checked with three local garages I trust. None do it and all sent me to the same place where I got the quote. There is a Mustang performance shop nearby I'm checking with. A buddy has a clean 3.73 ring gear set with limited slip and bearings but no pinion gear he is giving me for free for parts. He accidently left the pinion in the axle when he sold it, dammit!

 

[RAU03MACH]

I would charge half of what the dealership charges, and for friends I try to help them out
Some one messed up on that
Down to a nubb

 

[Wmac]

When you say Cobra axle, are you referring to a 31 spline diff?

FRPP gear set ........... 200 bucks or so.
FRPP gear install kit .. 100 bucks or so. (has all the bearings needed)
FRPP tracloc rebulit kit.. 100 bucks or so.
FRPP axle berings & seals... 35 bucks or so.

Rebuilt like new for 400 plus labour. Any mustang shop can do this.

Need 28 spline axles or spiders? Meet me in Niagara Falls halfway across the Rainbow bridge and I'll hand those to you for free. (lol)

 

[PinkieT]

When you say Cobra axle, are you referring to a 31 spline diff?

FRPP gear set ........... 200 bucks or so.
FRPP gear install kit .. 100 bucks or so. (has all the bearings needed)
FRPP tracloc rebulit kit.. 100 bucks or so.
FRPP axle berings & seals... 35 bucks or so.

Rebuilt like new for 400 plus labour. Any mustang shop can do this.

Need 28 spline axles or spiders? Meet me in Niagara Falls halfway across the Rainbow bridge and I'll hand those to you for free. (lol)

Have a Mustang shop I'm checking with Monday, and a local trans shop that is supposed to do differentials. The axle is out of a 98 Cobra, straight axle not an IRS. No idea how many splines until it is apart. The shop that quoted me over a grand for the job is busy and I couldn't get in for over six weeks anyway.

 

[PinkieT]

Local trans shop quoted $2,500! Yeah, right, dudes! Mustang specialist was lowest price of the three and has a great reputation. Got an appt. for next month to get it done.

 

[RAU03MACH]

Junk yard time

 

[PinkieT]

Junk yard time

Rather go new. I have the carrier with limited slip that's in the car and spare in case I need it.

 

[joe65]

if its the stock 98 cobra it will be 28 spline. they went to 31 on the 2001's. (Cobra). Check Ebay for trac lok diffs. I've found some there for a good price. I also have one i'd sell. It could probably use new clutches. but it was working fine when i pulled it.

 

[PinkieT]

OK, it's in the shop and they started taking it apart. Differential has a crack, spider gears are worn big time. No wonder it made noise! So far the gears in it look OK. They have the complete Ford Racing 3.55 gear set with install kit I bought for it, and I brought them a spare differential. Thinking just having them install the new gears, use up the kit and have all new stuff.

 

[RAU03MACH]

OK, it's in the shop and they started taking it apart. Differential has a crack, spider gears are worn big time. No wonder it made noise! So far the gears in it look OK. They have the complete Ford Racing 3.55 gear set with install kit I bought for it, and I brought them a spare differential. Thinking just having them install the new gears, use up the kit and have all new stuff.

Would you do 373
Just a little more Getty up

 

[PinkieT]

Would you do 373
Just a little more Getty up

I have 3.73s right now. Based on my driving, I decided 3.55s were the best choice. Besides, they are already bought and in the shop.

 

[PinkieT]

 

[RAU03MACH]

did you notice before if the axel shafts have a lot of in and out play back and forth other words
they would slam back and forth on the spider gears and that's usually what happens to them
I have seen that happen twice

 

[PinkieT]

Never noticed it, but I'll ask the shop to check. Would that be from bad axle bearings?

 

[RAU03MACH]

Yes very well possible

 

[PinkieT]

Murphy's Law kicked in. The differential my buddy gave me is good, but I have 28 spline axles and it takes 31. Trip to Summit, more $$$$ out the window....

 

[PinkieT]

Picked up the axles at Summit yesterday. Their house brand 31 spline axles was $209 a pair including studs and bearings. Bought my wife a black and pink Mustang ball cap while I was there, the least I could do since I dipped into family cash to buy the axles. Got the car home today. The tech showed me metal chips they fished out, including tabs from the Trac-Loc clutches. Gonna sell the old axles and whatever else is still good to try and get some of my money back. Driving her gently until the gears are broken in, then plan on testing out the Trac-Loc big time!

 

[PinkieT]

Job done!