Rear Axel -- 3300?

bwc302 · Post by **bwc302** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 2:37 pm

What is a Ford 3300 rear end? Is this a 9 inch being called by it's factory Ford name?

68F250 · Post by **68F250** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 12:49 pm

That's the axle capacity, in pounds. It's a Ford 9 inch.

dcbullet · Post by **dcbullet** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 12:43 pm

I notice that in the NPD catalog they sell rear axle bearings for:

1. 48-79 3300# Ford RA $28.50
2. 70-79 3600, 3750# Ford 9" RA $89.95

I've got a 72 rear end. Is there a way I can tell which axle I've got? It's not original to the truck so if it's on the VIN that won't help.

dcbullet · Post by **dcbullet** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 6:45 pm

Thanks Barry.

Are you referring to the nut and bolt indicated below which secure the axle plate to the housing?

This nut is 3/4"

My axles are 28 spline.

68F250 · Post by **68F250** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 7:04 pm

Hmmm... did I screw up again?

Well, since you already have the axles pulled, measure the diameter of the bearings. The big one is 3.25" and the small one is 2.875". Boy I hope that's right or else I'm gonna have to throw away all the axle info I've got.

(If it's over 3" it's definitely the big bearing.)

dcbullet · Post by **dcbullet** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 7:38 pm

3.25" looks to be right so I'll look for that larger bearing.

Thanks Barry.

dcbullet · Post by **dcbullet** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 5:03 pm

I had a couple follow-up questions and figured I would just add them to this thread.

I've received the bearing and had them R&R'ed by a machine shop. It looks like they are sealed. Do they require no grease whatsoever before putting them in?

I was planning on just giving the outside of the bearing a little grease to help the axle slide into the housing. Is this recommended?

Finally, besides just the friction of the tight fit and the fact that there are bearings in the center, is it the weight of the truck that keeps the outside suface of the bearing from spinning in the axle housing? This question might not make sense but I'm just curious.

Thanks in advance.

Post by **FORDification** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 1:34 am

dcbullet wrote:I had a couple follow-up questions and figured I would just add them to this thread.

I've received the bearing and had them R&R'ed by a machine shop. It looks like they are sealed. Do they require no grease whatsoever before putting them in?

No, they require no grease....they're sealed for life.

dcbullet wrote:I was planning on just giving the outside of the bearing a little grease to help the axle slide into the housing. Is this recommended?

If it's a VERY tight fit, I think you'd be better off taking a little emery cloth to the inside of the axle tube, just to clean it up. Adding grease probably wouldn't hurt it, per se, but I don't think it's necessary.

dcbullet wrote:Finally, besides just the friction of the tight fit and the fact that there are bearings in the center, is it the weight of the truck that keeps the outside suface of the bearing from spinning in the axle housing?...

Yep...which is probably why you DON'T want to grease the outside of the bearing race and/or axle tube where the bearing sits. You definitely don't want it to start moving on you.

dcbullet · Post by **dcbullet** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 3:16 am

FORDification wrote:
dcbullet wrote:I've received the bearing and had them R&R'ed by a machine shop. It looks like they are sealed. Do they require no grease whatsoever before putting them in?
No, they require no grease....they're sealed for life.

That is a miracle of technology...35 year old technology at that!

thanks for your response.

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Rear Axel -- 3300?

Rear Axel -- 3300?

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