My 8.8 install
05-27-2014, 02:44 PM
#1
Installed the creative steel 8.8 and wide wheel trailing arms this weekend. I purchased the kit from a forum member here, Britt29, great guy to work with. The install was fairly strait forward. Rebuilding the 8.8 with new side gears, clutch packs and 4.10 gears was a lot of fun too. I fabricated a case stretching tool for about 40 bucks, it wasn't pretty but seemed to be effective. 
The 4.10 gears in my opinion are a major improvement over the stock 3.73. The trailing arms look good under there too. Now I just need to get some wider tires to utilize them. Few tips on the 8.8 rebuild if anyone is thinking about doing the setup on their own. 1. The thicker shim is on the right non ring gear side of the carrier. I had them labeled this way and laid out neatly on the floor on a rag. Never fails the ended up getting mixed up. 2. Make the old pinion bearing a template so you can get the pinion depth set correctly without having to press it on and off. I used a honing tool to open up the old bearing so it could be installed and removed with slight hand pressure. Takes out a lot of the guess work. 3. Permatex 1 minute gasket maker is the ****. Perfect seal and it only takes a minute to cure. I still have the stock stuff and might toss up a classified in the near future too.
The 4.10 gears in my opinion are a major improvement over the stock 3.73. The trailing arms look good under there too. Now I just need to get some wider tires to utilize them. Few tips on the 8.8 rebuild if anyone is thinking about doing the setup on their own. 1. The thicker shim is on the right non ring gear side of the carrier. I had them labeled this way and laid out neatly on the floor on a rag. Never fails the ended up getting mixed up. 2. Make the old pinion bearing a template so you can get the pinion depth set correctly without having to press it on and off. I used a honing tool to open up the old bearing so it could be installed and removed with slight hand pressure. Takes out a lot of the guess work. 3. Permatex 1 minute gasket maker is the ****. Perfect seal and it only takes a minute to cure. I still have the stock stuff and might toss up a classified in the near future too. 
05-27-2014, 05:42 PM
#5
Really first doesn't feel that bad, definitely not like a dump truck. It's not as drastic of a change as you might be led to believe. I was hesitant at first when I was reading various opinions on gears and decided to try it. Might not be for everyone but I wouldn't change it. It's really fun to smash the pedal in third and damn near get whip lash 
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05-27-2014, 06:24 PM
#7
Jumping from 3.73 to 4.10 is not that drastic and I would be very tempted to do it myself. I went from 3.55 to 4.08 in my 350Z and it was a lot more noticeable, although I actually got used to it after a while, but we're talking about a smaller jump in this case.
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05-27-2014, 10:20 PM
#11
I'm debating 4.10's as well but am a little worried about gear whine after the install. Do you have any whine with yours? Also, what was the case spreader for? I don't remember needing one the last time I setup gears.
What cover is that? It might save me some money on having mine welded.
What cover is that? It might save me some money on having mine welded.
05-27-2014, 11:11 PM
#12
TECH Fanatic
As long as you properly set up the gears whine should be minimal. The getrag whines cuz its set up poorly from the factory. I've ridden in tons of performance cars of every make and most of them are quiet. This V screams like a virgin on prom night
05-28-2014, 04:56 AM
#16
I'm debating 4.10's as well but am a little worried about gear whine after the install. Do you have any whine with yours? Also, what was the case spreader for? I don't remember needing one the last time I setup gears. What cover is that? It might save me some money on having mine welded.
The cover I picked up from summit racing, it was 148.95. Made by proform parts, it has the studs that you tighten down on the bearing caps. The fill hole lines up directly with the hole in the subframe by the e-brake cable. I have a 1/4 inch or more of clearance between the frame and the cover.
05-28-2014, 06:10 AM
#18
Thanks, that is good to know the whine is gone. I thought you just matched the same pinion depth for the new gears, assuming ford gears anyway, and then checked lash and pattern for the ring.
That cover looks nice I might give it a shot. Also is the clunking completely gone?
That cover looks nice I might give it a shot. Also is the clunking completely gone?
The pinion depth is critical to the setup on these. Make sure the gear set you get has the checking distance either stamped on the pinion or in the instructions. I don't have any whine. The spreader is to assist with getting the side shims added. I could have added a .003 shim to really keep the back lash low but decided it was fine. Just be sure to check your run pattern with the yellow paint stuff. If you have good contact in the center of the teeth you're all set.
The cover I picked up from summit racing, it was 148.95. Made by proform parts, it has the studs that you tighten down on the bearing caps. The fill hole lines up directly with the hole in the subframe by the e-brake cable. I have a 1/4 inch or more of clearance between the frame and the cover.
The cover I picked up from summit racing, it was 148.95. Made by proform parts, it has the studs that you tighten down on the bearing caps. The fill hole lines up directly with the hole in the subframe by the e-brake cable. I have a 1/4 inch or more of clearance between the frame and the cover.
05-28-2014, 06:38 AM
#19
Thanks, that is good to know the whine is gone. I thought you just matched the same pinion depth for the new gears, assuming ford gears anyway, and then checked lash and pattern for the ring. That cover looks nice I might give it a shot. Also is the clunking completely gone?
05-28-2014, 09:05 AM
#20