'97 Mustang - What rear axle?

[bigmackloud]

Hey,

My gf got a '97 Mustang a couple of months ago. i think it may end up needing to have the rear axle replaced. don't know much at the moment, but i'm going by the shop to take a look at it after lunch.

ne ways, what rear axle came in a '97 mustang, v6 auto? what gear ratio would you expect to find in there? are there any other year/models that would be a direct swap if i do end up having to find a replacement? did different models come with any different axle ratios??

thanks,
bigmac

[CallawayGT]

Stock should be a 7.5" rear end.I was thinking that stock gear ratio for them was 3.31 but I could be mistaken.Never owned a sixer.Might be best to just upgrade to the 8.8 out of a gt.

[Tony]

Stock should be a 7.5" rear end.I was thinking that stock gear ratio for them was 3.31 but I could be mistaken.Never owned a sixer.Might be best to just upgrade to the 8.8 out of a gt.

it's a 7.5" rear end, however as far the gear ratios go, if it's a stock rear end without a gear swap, the only two possibilities are 2.73 and 3.27, i would not recommend the 8.8 unless you have plans to make the car faster, it would be a waste of time....

[CallawayGT]

Who doesn't want to make their car faster? ;)

[bigmackloud]

Hey,

well good news. i went by the shop. basically at some point in it's life, the rear axle must have gotten low on gear oil and starved the axle bearings for oil. this created excess wear on the axle shafts and was causing the noise. but instead of having to buy new axle shafts, there's a special bearing you can get that rides on a different spot on the axle shaft. it's also a sealed unit, so it doesn't depend on the diff oil for lubrication, and it contains the axle seal in it as well. very cool piece. $50 for bearings is a heck of a lot cheaper than axle shafts!

thanks,
bigmac

[Tim]

you're going to have a 7.5" rear with anywhere between 2.73 - 3.73 gears depending on transmission.

unless you are going to do a V8 swap or add a power adder i wouldn't waste the time of putting in a 8.8", but i would put a set of 4.10s in your 7.5" if you get it rebuilt.

[Pete]

Ah you got the bearin savers installed; smart move when your car is low powered.

[bigmackloud]

Hey,

do the bearing savers not work well with higher HP applications??

later,
bigmac

[Pete]

Bearing savers are sort of like a patch. If you just drive the car normal then all is fine. If you plan to drive it hard; don't. The damage to your axle still exists (usually minor stress cracks) the aren't something to fear but they are a weak spot. This is why a bearing can't ride on the same spot anymore.