I have a COMPLETE rebuild kit for an 8.8 for a 28 spline. It includes everything, carrier bearings and shims, pinion bearings and shims and seal and crush sleeve, axle bearings and seals, ring gear bolts, cover bolts, and I think that's it.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but the only parts that wont fit a 31 spline explorer rear is the axle bearings and seals right?

Oh ya, has anyone used one of the solid spacers that go in place of the crush sleeve before? Good/bad idea?

 

Yes, only difference is the outer bearings and seals.

Never heard of the alternative to the crush sleeve. Interested though, b/c I need to replace my seal soon...

 

Thanks for reassuring me, I thought so.

A couple links for the solid spacer:

http://completeoffroad.com/i-122892-...ad-collar.html

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles.../photo_07.html

 

Hmmmm, looks like the thing to use for long term as you can reuse them. I wonder if I can use it instead of a crush sleeve whne doing the seal? I assume so, as I'd have to torque a crush sleeve down anyway. gotta look into those...

 

What did you end up doing?

 

so the 28 and 31 spline axles use the same carrier bearings?

I have a solid spacer on my 9", time will tell but its a lot easier than crushing the crush sleeve.

 

yes an 8.8 is an 8.8 same bearings.

 

the axle shafts are just bigger in the 31 spline right?

 

yes

the tubes are bigger and the axle bearings are larger.

 

thats what i thought

 

Havent decided yet. Probably stay with the crush sleeve for now since I already have it and if/when I have to replace the pinion seal in the future, I'll put in the solid spacer. I've read nothing but good things about them.

 

the links posted above shows what is used in my rearend. my buddy has not had any problems with them and he has rebuilt A Lot of rear ends, from race trucks to daily drivers