questions about removing the carrier on an 8.25

my98xj

Active Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2007
Location
kernersville
Ok, I'm gonna be trying out the fozzy locker idea on my 8.25 and I hear if it fails it can destroy the whole carrier, now the farthest I've gone into my 8.25 was to replace the wheel bearings. My question is what's involved in removing/ swapping a carrier? Anybody know exactly what tools I'll need I'm going to the junkyard later this week to pick up some spares. Thanks
 
fozzy locker = welded carrier ? :confused:
To remove the carrier, you have to pull the axleshafts out a little, diff. cover, then the carrier bearing caps (4 large bolts). The carrier might be tight in there, so bring some pry bars and a rubber faced mallet always seems to work somehow.
You should grab the pinion gear with the ring gear, they are a matched set. The pinion nut is pretty big (1-1/8" IIRC...double check that). Sometimes that needs to be pressed out, sometimes a wood block and hammer work.
 
From what I've read the fozzy locker simply welds the gaps in the teeth of the spiders, making them removable still, I only want the spare to get me out of the trail and home if I tear it up I'm gonna buy a real locker lol, so your saying if the carrier goes out I have to swap the whole gearset?
 
The 8.25 uses threaded adjusters on each side of the carrier to achieve preload and proper backlash. You will need a tool to be able to loosen and tighten the adjusters.
I made myself one out of an XJ front axle nut (36mm) welded to a piece of 1" tube about 30" long. I then welded a 3/4" nut on the end of the tube so I can put a socket on it.
ECGS also sells a tool if ya wanna buy one.
 
Maybe I'm missing something here, why can't I just pull out the axles, then unbolt the 4 bolts that hold the carrier bearings, then pull out the ring gear and carrier, and just swap carriers and reinstall? Forgive my ignorance lol
 
I'm willing to bet Jody's pulled way more carriers than I have, I guess when I dropped a locker in my 8.25, I didnt need to remove the carrier.
This whole spare carrier deal isnt sounding like the best idea. Just weld it the side gears to the carrier and rock on.
 
Because unlike most other axles out there, which use shims to achieve backlash and carrier preload, the 8.25 does not. Instead, it used threaded adjusters that MUST be tightened in a proper sequence to achieve proper backlash/preload.

You will not be able to re-assemble remotely properly w/o the tool. Period.
 
RenegadeT said:
I'm willing to bet Jody's pulled way more carriers than I have, I guess when I dropped a locker in my 8.25, I didnt need to remove the carrier.
This whole spare carrier deal isnt sounding like the best idea. Just weld it the side gears to the carrier and rock on.
Click to expand...

You are correct Tony. No need to remove the carrier to install a Lock Rite. But to remove the carrier, what I said earlier is correct.
I've been into a few diffs in my time...
 
The only thing keeping me from welding the side gears to the carrier is I do plan on putting an aussie locker in down the road, I want to avoid having to do anything with pinion depth backlash etc. So new question. Should I weld the sidegears to the carrier and stay that way or go with the fozzy locker and carry extra spider gears untill I get the cash for an aussie?
 
If its trail-only, weld up the side gears. If this is double duty street warrior/trail rig, wait til you save up for a locker. A welded carrier in the rear of an XJ sucks on the street, especially the mall parking lot.
 
I mean its mostly off road, I drive it to and from trails and that's it, but tires are expensive :(
 
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