9" rear axle in a CJ7

Wladziu

New Member
Joined
May 1, 2011
Location
Burlington
Hello. I'm new here.

Years ago, I built up a CJ-7 and gave it to my Dad for fishing on the sandbars of the Outer Banks.
New engine, a fuel injection kit, new wiring harness, 4.5" RE lift (very,very nice with the YJ springs), new 35" MTRs, new cooling system, new roll cage, seats, you name it.
He never drives it.
Go figure.

Anyway....I'd like to address an issue with the Ford 9" rear. The pinion angle is too high, probably. He has no idea what angle it's at, and I'm at the other end of the state.
He says it gets very hot when he does drive it. Hot enough to smell after about 10 miles. I'll probably try to shim it back down as much as I can. I hope I'll be able to retain a reasonable driveshaft angle. It is currently running a double cardon shaft that I stole from a Cherokee or something (can't remember), and a 1" t-case drop. I tried to overfill it some, with 90 wt and a friction modifier. It only has a limited slip, but not sure of the make.

My question is whether I should continue to trust this axle for any type of highway driving or commuting. Can't afford a Hi9.

Does anyone here have experience with the Ford 9"? Is it typical for them to do this, even at correct pinion angles? I know they have oil feed issues to the pinion bearing at angles, but am I sitting on a time bomb?
I towed it from Greensboro to Greenville without a problem....but that's being towed. No torque through the driveshaft, since I removed it.

Thanks!
If it does work out...I'd love to join the Triad club!
If not...anybody need a Jeep?
 
Also, there was some clunking before I put in the friction additive. I chalk it up to the limited slip, but I have very little experience with such things.
I was driving it around town on errands.

After that, there's been no noise, he says. No grinding or anything. Just a lot of heat. I'm thinking that it gets SOME oil to the pinion bearing, but not enough. Am I correct? Would dropping the snout a few degrees solve the problem? Or would it still be unsafe to drive on the highway dependably?
 
With the fill plug towards the front of the snout of the pig, I would think the pinion would stay pretty well oiled...if the level is still up to the hole. If the rear is building heat, probably due to either a R&P set up way tight, too much bearing preload, a bearing is failing...pinion or carrier bearing. With the sounds you were describing I would, start looking at someone going thru the rear before it gets completely junked!
 
Yea and if it has a stock trac lock that came in some 9in rears I would check it also for the popping have broken 2 trac loks then just spooled it.
 
Ok. Thanks guys.

I was kind of thinking maybe the pinion crush sleeve was tightened too much when it was installed. The guy I bought it from was kinda shady.
But, like I said, I don't know much about it, having never replaced a gearset.

Would it make sense if that's what it is? It'd be nice to just take the 3rd member to the shop rather than the whole axle. My shop guy is a hotrod builder and doesn't like this thing turned at a positive pinion angle.
 
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