Rear Drive Axle and Differential - Overview
The 8.8-inch ring gear rear differential is the IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) type. The 8.8-inch rear axle has
3.15, 3.31, 3.55, and 3.73 gear ratio versions.
Rear Drive Axle and Differential
The rear axle assembly consists of the following:
Integral-type housing hypoid gear design (center of the pinion set below the centerline of the ring gear) Hypoid differential ring gear and pinion consisting of a 8.8-inch ring gear and an overhung drive pinion that is supported by 2 opposed tapered roller bearings Pinion bearing preload that is maintained by a drive pinion collapsible spacer on the differential pinion shaft and adjusted by the pinion nut Cast center section with a cast differential housing cover Differential housing cover using silicone rubber based sealant as a gasket Differential pinion shaft that is retained by a threaded differential pinion shaft lock bolt attached to the differential case Differential case that is mounted in the rear axle housing between 2 opposing differential bearings that are retained in the rear axle housing by 2 removable bearing caps Differential bearing preload and ring gear backlash which are adjusted by differential bearing shims that are located between the differential bearing cups and the rear axle housing Limited slip axle - (Traction-Lok) 3.15, 3.31 and 3.55 ratio axles Limited slip axle - (Torsen) 3.73 ratio axles
The rear drive axle receives rotational torque from the driveshaft. The direction of the rotation determines movement of the vehicle. The rotation enters the rear drive axle through the drive pinion flange, turning the drive pinion and rotating the ring gear. The ring gear is bolted to the differential case. The differential case houses the pinion shaft upon which the differential pinion gears ride. The pinion gears are in mesh with the differential side gears to which the halfshafts are splined. It is the unique arrangement of the differential that allows the halfshafts to be driven at different speed when needed, such as when driving around corners.
The Torsen rear differential carrier is serviced as a assembly only.
Overview
2016 Mustang workshop publication supplied to Mustang Atlas. Original technical text and illustrations; HTML formatting by Mustang Atlas. Source page numbering is retained for traceability. Follow the configuration, revision, warnings, and cross-references in the material. About this edition.