Thread missing? 8-3/4 housing end as welded for shortened housing...
I was just gonna weigh in with my experience but I cannot find the thread I think entitled "Is This Acceptable". Either I am stupid (entirely possible) or the thread is gone.
Anyway, I can vouch for the fact that an 8-3/4 housing can be distorted. I bent mine into a banana shape drag racing. Attributed to moving leaf springs inboard thereby increasing moment arm as well as putting drag slicks on the car for track. Tires started smoking down the track as housing ends were bent forward and tires rubbing.
I took the banana shaped housing to some shop in PA who straightened it on a press. I also bought from him 8-3/4 bushings and tube which I could mount into 8-3/4 bearing saddles to act as a gaging assistant. I welded a back brace on the housing and shipped it to Moser to be slightly narrowed. They did pretty good as judged by my "gage". Not perfect (it's a weld job) but good. Axles went in fine and I ran green bearings with no issue. Here's a few pictures:
I was just gonna weigh in with my experience but I cannot find the thread I think entitled "Is This Acceptable". Either I am stupid (entirely possible) or the thread is gone.
Anyway, I can vouch for the fact that an 8-3/4 housing can be distorted. I bent mine into a banana shape drag racing. Attributed to moving leaf springs inboard thereby increasing moment arm as well as putting drag slicks on the car for track. Tires started smoking down the track as housing ends were bent forward and tires rubbing.
I took the banana shaped housing to some shop in PA who straightened it on a press. I also bought from him 8-3/4 bushings and tube which I could mount into 8-3/4 bearing saddles to act as a gaging assistant. I welded a back brace on the housing and shipped it to Moser to be slightly narrowed. They did pretty good as judged by my "gage". Not perfect (it's a weld job) but good. Axles went in fine and I ran green bearings with no issue. Here's a few pictures: