8.8" Detroit Locker?

[GreekGod]

How are the axles retained when using a Detroit Locker with our 8.8" axle?

The online photos of the locker don't show a window for c-clip access, so I suspect c-clip eliminators, or 9" housing ends are required?

[Krytin]

The online photos may be of the 9" locker which doesn't use the C-clips.
I hope this is the case as I am also interested in the locker. I have noticed that they don't list the 28 spline 8.8" unit - only the 31 spline.

[Mongoose]

As far as I know, nobody makes an 8.8 C-clip eliminator housing end that matches the bolt pattern on the stock MM housing. It's my understanding that the housing in the MM is the same as any Grand Marquis, Crown Vic, and Town Car and after all, who ever heard of anybody racing one of them so why make C-clip eliminator housing ends for them.:rolleyes:
If you use the 9" housing ends, I assume you'd have also use the 9" brake caliper mounting plates and have to make a host of other changes to acccomodate them. I'm currently building an 8.8 with the Detroit Locker, 31 spline axles, and custom axle housing ends that I designed and fabricated in order to retain the stock brake caliper mounting brackets with the ABS sensor, parking brake, and eliminate the C-clips. I wanted to go with 35 spline axles but apparently there is not enough room in the 8.8 housing to go that big. If all goes well, I'll have mine finished Sat. and post some pics.

[merc]

As far as I know, nobody makes an 8.8 C-clip eliminator housing end that matches the bolt pattern on the stock MM housing. It's my understanding that the housing in the MM is the same as any Grand Marquis, Crown Vic, and Town Car and after all, who ever heard of anybody racing one of them so why make C-clip eliminator housing ends for them.:rolleyes:
If you use the 9" housing ends, I assume you'd have also use the 9" brake caliper mounting plates and have to make a host of other changes to acccomodate them. I'm currently building an 8.8 with the Detroit Locker, 31 spline axles, and custom axle housing ends that I designed and fabricated in order to retain the stock brake caliper mounting brackets with the ABS sensor, parking brake, and eliminate the C-clips. I wanted to go with 35 spline axles but apparently there is not enough room in the 8.8 housing to go that big. If all goes well, I'll have mine finished Sat. and post some pics.

Now that would be interesting.

[GreekGod]

As far as I know, nobody makes an 8.8 C-clip eliminator housing end that matches the bolt pattern on the stock MM housing. It's my understanding that the housing in the MM is the same as any Grand Marquis, Crown Vic, and Town Car and after all, who ever heard of anybody racing one of them so why make C-clip eliminator housing ends for them. ...unless the Mustang ends are the same?...

If you use the 9" housing ends, I assume you'd have also use the 9" brake caliper mounting plates and have to make a host of other changes to accommodate them. I'm currently building an 8.8 with the Detroit Locker...does the locker have a window for c-clips?..., 31 spline axles, and custom axle housing ends...you are cutting off the ends, and welding on the new ends?... that I designed and fabricated in order to retain the stock brake caliper mounting brackets with the ABS sensor, parking brake, and eliminate the C-clips. I wanted to go with 35 spline axles but apparently there is not enough room in the 8.8 housing to go that big. If all goes well, I'll have mine finished Sat. and post some pics.


why make C-clip eliminator housing ends for them. ...unless the Mustang ends are the same?...

...does the locker have a window for c-clips?...

...you are cutting off the ends, and welding on the new ends?...

[DOOM]

Im about to order a Detroit Locker Truetrac diff 8.8, 31 spline setup.

[Mongoose]

why make C-clip eliminator housing ends for them.
NHRA RULE SECTION 5A- SUPER PRO, PRO, SPORTSMAN DRIVETRAIN:2
REAR END: "Aftermarket axles and axle-retention device mandatory on any car running 10.99 (*6.99 1/8th mile) or quicker or any car with locked differential." Also covered under Section 4 General Regulations 2:11 which basically says any ANY car 10.99 or faster or with a spool.

...unless the Mustang ends are the same?...
Mustang ends are not the same.


...does the locker have a window for c-clips?...
Yes depending on the model.


...you are cutting off the ends, and welding on the new ends?...
Yes.

[Mongoose]

How are the axles retained when using a Detroit Locker with our 8.8" axle?

The online photos of the locker don't show a window for c-clip access, so I suspect c-clip eliminators, or 9" housing ends are required?
To answer your original question, roller bearings with an inner and outer race are pressed onto the aftermarket axles and then held in place with a shrink fitted retaining collar. The bearings in turn are captured in the housing ends eliminating the C-clips. A spacer between the bearing and back side of the axle flange sets the proper location.

The purpose of all this is to keep the wheels under the car in the event of an axle failure since most axle breakages occur near the transition point of the splines on the axle. I've seen it happen numerous times years ago when an axle would break, the wheel/axle comes out of the car, and then the car makes an immediate 90 degree turn into a concrete wall.

[GreekGod]

To answer your original question, roller bearings with an inner and outer race are pressed onto the aftermarket axles and then held in place with a shrink fitted retaining collar. The bearings in turn are captured in the housing ends eliminating the C-clips. A spacer between the bearing and back side of the axle flange sets the proper location.

The purpose of all this is to keep the wheels under the car in the event of an axle failure since most axle breakages occur near the transition point of the splines on the axle. I've seen it happen numerous times years ago when an axle would break, the wheel/axle comes out of the car, and then the car makes an immediate 90 degree turn into a concrete wall.

I understand axle theory and application. I broke a 28 spline with a 240 I6 in a '68 F100, and drove it home. That's why I really a 9" with 3/4 ton style (or NASCAR) floating axles. It is amazing to me that some stock car/circle tracks allow 12 bolt GM rear-ends with OEM c-clip retainers.

Are you saying an 8.8" Detroit Locker requires custom axles, and OEM axles can't be used? I can see how the 4-bolt flange could be used to retain pressed-on bearings, which is what the 9" has, of course.

[Mongoose]

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/thumbs/DSC_4798.JPG (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/16280)
This pic shows c-clip access and keeper on my 8.8/31 spline locker. (I corrected previous post)
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/thumbs/DSC_4792.JPG (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/16278)
Lock ring being heated.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/thumbs/DSC_4793.JPG (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/16279)
Lock ring installed on axle and also showing my custom c-clip eliminator bearing retainer.

I didn't bother to check if the locker is available for 28 spline axles but assume that if it is, you should be able to use OEM axles. But my point is, that if you're going to upgrade, you might as well go to 31 splines even if you don't do a c-clip eliminator.

[GreekGod]

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/thumbs/DSC_4798.JPG (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/16280)
This pic shows c-clip access and keeper on my 8.8/31 spline locker. (I corrected previous post)
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/thumbs/DSC_4792.JPG (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/16278)
Lock ring being heated.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/thumbs/DSC_4793.JPG (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/16279)
Lock ring installed on axle and also showing my custom c-clip eliminator bearing retainer.

I didn't bother to check if the locker is available for 28 spline axles but assume that if it is, you should be able to use OEM axles. But my point is, that if you're going to upgrade, you might as well go to 31 splines even if you don't do a c-clip eliminator.

Ok, I (think) I see what you are doing. Looks like you made new caps for the carrier bearings, too. The thick spacer/bearing holder will move the wheel out, since it bolts-on outside housing ends, so you must have cut that much off the axle housing? Must need a seal on the outside, and a gasket on the inside?

Would this make a good conversion for everyone? I can see the main problem might be aligning the custom ends for welding. If your conversion works well, you could go into a limited production. I'm sure you could get orders for at least 50 sets.

I already have OEM/Limo/2005< 31 spline axles & a girdle style cover. I don't think they make a 28 spline DL for the 8.8".

[Mongoose]

Ok, I (think) I see what you are doing. Looks like you made new caps for the carrier bearings, too. The thick spacer/bearing holder will move the wheel out, since it bolts-on outside housing ends, so you must have cut that much off the axle housing? Must need a seal on the outside, and a gasket on the inside?

Would this make a good conversion for everyone? I can see the main problem might be aligning the custom ends for welding. If your conversion works well, you could go into a limited production. I'm sure you could get orders for at least 50 sets.

I already have OEM/Limo/2005< 31 spline axles & a girdle style cover. I don't think they make a 28 spline DL for the 8.8".

Carrier bearing caps are from Strange Eng. They do require some machining for fit. The outboard side of the bearing retainer is dimensionally the same as stock to retain the caliper bracket position and the axles have to be spaced out to set the desired axle width. The axle bearing is a sealed bearing on the outboard side and an O-ring was used to seal the bearing retainers to the housing ends. Would this be "a good conversion for everyone?" If you want to spend about $5K, yes. I didn't spend that much because I did all the machining myself. The local shop that did all the assembling might be interested in maybe doing more but only on a complete housing exchange basis.

Some more pics.


http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Dsc_4745A.jpg
Split collar used to saw off stock housing ends and square end for new housing end.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Dsc_4747A.jpg
Sawed off housing end.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC_4782.JPG
New housing ends welded in place.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/medium/DSC_4795.JPG
Assembled housing end.