Traction-Lok clutches

[bellifritz]

Will Mustang 8.8 traction-lok clutches fit in an explorer? My traction-lok has 173,000 miles on it and it needs rebuilt. I did this on an 86 mustang gt that I had, so I know how to do it. I'm just trying to find the clutches and everything I see says it's for mustang, but will fit any 8.8 traction-lok differential. I know mustang is 28 spline axles and explorer is 31, but does that affect the clutches?

Thanks,
Brian

 

[glfredrick]

I have to rebuild mine also - and am subscribing to the thead to hear the results.

 

[MrShorty]

Good question. I'm not sure of the answer. The Traction lock rebuild kits I've bought have contained both the friction clutches and new, splined steel plates. Of course, the splined steels will only fit on the axleshafts they were designed for. The fact that they include the steels with the clutches suggests to me that they intend for you to replace the steels when you replace the clutches. I don't know how important it is to replace the steels, or how bad of an idea it is to reuse the steels. That would be one consideration. I also don't know for certain if the clutches are exactly the same or not, but I expect they are.

 

[bellifritz]

Better question

Ok, I wasn't very specific when I asked the question. When you pull the axles out and take out the S-spring, pull the small gears out and then pull out the side gears with the clutches and spacer rings on it. I need to know how many splines are on the spacer rings that go between the clutches for an explorer. I have a traction lock here that was given to me and it has 28 splines where the axles go through and 23 splines where the spacer rings for the clutches go. I assume that this one is for a mustang. Here is a copy and paste from an ebay auction.

Description

M-4700-B 8.8" Traction-Lok Rebuild Kit

• Kit includes clutch pack, shims, friction modifier and instruction sheet
• Fits all 8.8'' Traction-Lok differentials 28 or 31 spline

 

[MrShorty]

I had thought that the number of splines in the clutches was the same as the side gear. Went out and counted the splines on the clutches from my last traction lock rebuild in my Explorer, and I counted 23 splines in the steel spacers.

 

[bellifritz]

Thanks for checking on that. So the mustang clutch kits and the explorer kits are the same. I'll order the mustang kit from ebay then. Thanks again.