GM Optispark

I second the AC Delco or Delphi.

 

steady hum that eases up when decelerating,is outer pinion,.when you ease off the carrier tries to shove the pinion outwards, which takes pressure off the outer bearing,. you may get lucky,its the easiest to change,.use a new crush collar,. be a good time to upgrade to 3:23's or 3:42's or 3:73's,. all will give you better acceleration AND (against all the naysayers drama comments) better fuel mileage (cept when you,ve the big sh!t eating grin on your face blowing off some 5.0 mustang )

Nick
BTDT
GTTS
YRMV
NWEOI
PDCC

 

They have all sorts of packages at good prices.....


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0543870550&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

I talked to this guy about a new package. I don't think this particular package would work in the roadmaster due to the ABS reluctor ring. He quoted me around $700 for a kit which seemed good but I just can't quite justify as I'm still not 100% sure I'm going to keep the car and the car drastically needs suspension work soooo much more than gears right now. A swaybar is mandatory for the rear on the road that I live on.
This car is killing me in gas consumption compared to the Crown Vic. I'm getting about 100-150kms less per tank and a tank is costing about $10 more - and I'm driving the car WAY easier than the CV since I'm wary of the rear end (really driving like a grandpa). The CV handles far better stock as well but it sure doesn't have the WOW factor or the convenience of the wagon but it has more electronic features. Really tough one for me.

 

They have the reluctor ring. One guy just ordered as shown but for his 96 Cappy and it came through WITH the ring....same price. I think you need to order it naming your car withOUT calling them up front. There's also a guy over at ISS that makes & sells the rings for around $100. But, Hey....I understand about costs....I was just giving you options. You may be able to get just the parts you need from them cheaper, too...I don't know.

 

That's good to know. I really wanted to put a set of 3.23's or 3.42's in. If these gears are dead, that will definitely be the way I go.
The $600 in swaybars and the $200 in trailing arms is taking up quite a bit of the budget. Just a question of what condition these gears are in.

Just finished pulling the axle bearings. The guy at Lordco sold me some heavy duty bearings that look like they include the seal. They look pretty skookum.

 

$600.00 in sway bars!? Used 2nd. gen F body Trans Am up front, Ford Panther bar in the rear.... less than $200.00 all day. Use the extra cash on good shocks, not after market lower control arms.
http://gmlongroof.4umer.com/suspension-and-brakes-f33/ford-sway-bar-on-a-b-body-wagon-t1147.htm

 

I do have an extra Crown Vic rear swaybar here but the factory swaybars are quite wimpy for such a behemoth vehicle. Thanks for the article though. I'll have a look at the F-body swaybar thicknesses and see how they compare to the aftermarket suppliers to see if I can save a little coin.

 

you want the P71(police pack) Sway bar....not the standard sway bar

 

Are those still available, Ian?

 

Ah, good point. I forgot about that. I already put a set of Hotchkis swaybars in the CV and it made a heck of a difference. The rear bar was about twice the size. I don't think I have a standard P71 swaybar hanging around. It looks like swaybars will have to wait a bit anyway as well as I think I've decided that I need a press. I've run into a few jobs now that it has taken me a ridiculous amount of time fiddling around. I can get a 20T hydraulic press for about $420 or a 25T hydraulic press with hand for $560. Had a look for used ones today and there was nothing in my area other than a 100T for $4000.

 

For almost that same money you can drop a whole new rear end in there.

 

Yes, but I still need a press to do it.

 

Get a buddy with a press to do it....or even a shop couldn't charge much for that job. It's just me, but....I would rather have all new guts with the ratio of my choice in that rear end rather than a press.

 

I hear ya. I wonder how much less the gearset would be without the bearing kit since I already have that. Maybe I'll email the guy.