8.8 lincoln locked questions

[eldiablo]

I've got a 8.8 that I had a buddy lincoln lock. Problem is that I didn't tack it before removing it so when it was welded the pass. spider gear was a little too loose so now when I install the alxe shaft the c clip was really tight and the center pin didn't fit. I ground down the side of the pin and got everything in but the shaft was really tight with the c-clip installed. The drivers side has the ususal play but the pass. side is tight. I've driven it around a few times and everything seems ok.
The question I have is do you think there will be excessive wear on the bearings due to the constant pressure?

[dannyz14]

Over time your bearings will wear out pretty quick. Either run it and see what happens or replace your carrier. I would bite the bullet and replace the carrier but that's just me.

[The Black Sheep]

Depending on how tight things are that bearing might not last long at all. I know 8.8s aren't known for the carrier strength. Id run it for a week then check it again (I know pain in the ass) if it was deteriorating pretty quick id pull it and install a spool or a detroit.

[eldiablo]

what about grinding down the inner edge with a die grinder or something to give the c clip some clearance?
this isn't a daily driver. to the trail and back. Might get 40-50 hours a season.

[The Black Sheep]

Originally Posted by eldiablo

what about grinding down the inner edge with a die grinder or something to give the c clip some clearance?
this isn't a daily driver. to the trail and back. Might get 40-50 hours a season.

You can try it, sounds like that carrier might be toast soon anyways. Not sure what you have to lose. If something blows it might take out gears and axle shafts though. Id lean towards doing it right, but thats just me, I won't presume to spend your money or time as everybody value on both are different. I just did a spool search on Ebay and found quite a few for around 100 bucks. Your stock shims would probably be really really close to where they are supposed to be too seeing as most carriers, spools, lockers are all within very very tight tolerances, its the housings that are different and thus need shimming, you aren't changing the housing. Ive known quite a few backwoods mechanics to just take out a carrier and throw a detroit in using the same shims with zero issues. Thats up to you to decide however, as there is the chance that the shims won't be correct and you end up smoking your gears, probably the locker/spool and maybe even a shaft.

[eldiablo]

I did some research on the mini spools and found that most people who used them in the 8.8 ended destroying them. On the other hand I have afew friends with heavy feat who have been beating the snot out of their welded 8.8's with no issues. I think if I can get about 1/16 or so of material off the flat portion of the spider gear it should remove the pressure on the bearings.

Thanks for the replies.

[Wild Hare]

wouldn't it be alot easier and yield the same result to take some off the c clip. if its not a DD i see no issue in running it that way. BTW i have been running my 8.8 welded w/37's for 2 years now with no issues.

[eldiablo]

I thought about that but isn't the c-clip one of the weaker areas?

[Wild Hare]

the c clip is not the weak link. the bad part about a c clip axle is if you break an axle it comes out of the housing because there is no retainer at the end of the housing as is on all other axles to keep the axle in. the lateral load is not enough to worry about thinning the c clip itself. just make sure you are pushing in on the end of the axle so it is tigh against the center pin to get the c clip in. sometimes someone smacking it with a hammer helps clearancing it.

[eldiablo]

well that's the problem I had. The center pin needed to be clearanced a bit so I could get the shaft far enought in for the c-clip to fit. What I'm worried about is that by pushing the shaft so far in I'm putting too much pressure on the bearings. If your saying I need to make sure it's tight against that center pin then it definitely is. If I thin out the c-clip there will be less pressure on the bearing and the center pin won't be as tight against the shaft. Is that prefered?

[Wild Hare]

i have read thru thehread again and since you have it together i really see no reason to take it apart again. the lateral or side load against the bearing caused by the axle being a little farther in should not raise any issues. its not your daily driver so i would just run it.