[62restomod]

I'm finishing a project someone else started (34 Ford coupe). It has a narrowed Ford 9" rear that was already installed when I got it. It is supposed to be a Detroit locker setup. I hasn't had fluid in it yet. I don't know nuthin bout Ford rears but there seems to be quite a bit of lash in the gears, about 15 or so degrees of rotation of the pinion shaft before the axles start to rotate. It is supposed to be a new rebuild and the previous owner told me the axle builder said it is set right. All I know is that i would be concerned if I had that much play in my Vette rear. How bout it Ford guys?

Thanks
Bud

[stinger460]

15 degrees sounds like a lot however you need to be more specific.

try this. turn the pinion yoke so a cap is straight up, now either lock the brakes if any or block the wheels, including the front. with the transmission in neutral turn the yoke from the 12 o'clock position to when it stops against the ring gear and then put a mark on the housing in line with the center of the cap.
now put tranny in gear and then measure from your 12 o'clock position to your mark. as a rough estimate every 3/16" is 6 degrees. so if the measurement is par say 9/16" that would be about 18 degrees which is on the back side of out of spec meaning the rearend is set up to loose and probably needs another couple thousands shim.
for me this is a easy way while the rearend is still in the vehicle and without tearing it apart
AGAIN THIS IS A ROUGH ESTIMATE ITS NOT EXACT BUT IT WILL GET YOU A GOOD IDEA OTHER THAN JUST LOOKING AND GUESSING...

[62restomod]

Thanks for the reply Stinger. The drive shaft isn't installed so doing the check you suggested is pretty easy. I'll check it with a protractor. Hopefully it will be within the 18 degrees you say is spec.

Thanks
Bud

[prostreet6t9]

If it is a Detroit Locker they are know for having alot of lash. VERY common and not a problem. The lash is in the internals of the Detroit itself.

[62restomod]

Thanks Prostreet, that makes me feel better.
Bud