Irs diff clutch pack

toomanytoys

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After realizing that my diff bushings were shot I also found the cover was leaking and I think the clutches are finished as well. As I was working under the car I rotated the drivers side rear tire forward and the passenger side didn’t move so now I’m thinking as long as I have it out I might as well do it all right ? My question is how hard is it to replace the clutch packs with the carbon kit that American Muscle sells?I’ve done a lot of work on cars over the years but never rebuilt a diff. Need a little guidance on this
 

01yellercobra

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When I did mine it took longer to get the diff out than replacing the clutches. Its not bad at all.
 

olympic

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I did mine and I've never done much work on diffs. Watch some youtube vids on rebuilding an 8.8 so you get a feel for how it's put together. Remember to soak the new clutchs in friction modifier and diff oil before installing them. Reinstalling the big "S" shaped spring between the side gears was the hardest part.
 

olympic

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I did mine and I've never done much work on diffs. Watch some youtube vids on rebuilding an 8.8 so you get a feel for how it's put together. Remember to soak the new clutchs in friction modifier and diff oil before installing them. Reinstalling the big "S" shaped spring between the side gears was the hardest part.
 

01yellercobra

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The s spring needs to be compressed before it gets put in correct?
That's the easiest way. I used my vice to compress it and then a pair of vice grips to hold it. That was really the hardest part. My son was helping me and we fought it for a bit. Then suddenly it just kinda popped into place.
 

toomanytoys

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One last question— it says in the manual to soak the friction plates in friction modifier for 15 min prior to assembly. That much I know. Then it says to discard the modifier used for soaking and not put it in the fluid. Is this correct? What harm could it possibly do if I put it in the diff?
 

01yellercobra

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My guess would be because of any kind of contaminants that get pulled out of the clutches. I really don't know. To be honest I soaked mine in normal gear oil over night. I had extra so I figured why not. No issues so far.
 

john11gt

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The friction modifier is to help the clutches slip while driving, without it, the rear end could be noisier.

to install the S spring, use vice crips and compress half the spring. I used a piece of tie wire to hold it in place. Knock it in place and cut the wire, then finish driving it in.
 

toomanytoys

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I get the part of soaking first. But why do I have to throw away the fluid I soaked them in?
 

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