[sniperd]

Just like the title says, im in the middle of a 7.5 to 8.8 swap and need a bit of help.

I have the 7.5 completely disconnected except the parking brake cables.

They are stuck on the part where they go through the frame and then have a flared out piece of metal holding them in. I tried putting a pipe compression fitting (the kind you screw in) around it to compress it and pull it through but no luck, i also tried bending the tabs in and no luck. What gives?

How important are the torque specs on the rear end, I was going to just tighten them all tight w/ thread locker and go since they are in a hard spot to torque down.

What tool do I need to fill the differential? You fill it with the axle level from the spot right next to to where the driveshaft goes too right?

I have lucas 85-140 gear oil to put into it, I also bought some Trans-x differential additive, Is that good enough or do I need the ford stuff? (Ford dealership is 100 miles away)

Thanks in advance!

[86er]

theres three tabs on the ebrake cable, it takes holding your tongue just right to get all three pressed down and then pull out on the cable.

I honestly usually use a small scribe to push two of them through then pull on the back side of the cable and then push on the third.

I never torqued my rear ends down, I just do them nice and tight on the shocks and make sure you dont go too tight on the control arms, dont want them binding

any good rear end lube is fine.

[sniperd]

Thanks man, How do you get the oil fill plug out?

[86er]

I believe its a half inch drive. Maybe 3/8. Just use a long extension, no socket and put it in and turn it out. Most are in pretty tight, pb blaster or any penetrating oil will help loosen it up too

[superbean]

what 86 said. Those flare tabs can be a pain sometimes. Just push the one or two tabs sticking out the most down with a small screwdriver, slide the bottom side in the hole, then the hole will hold the on tab, then push down on the other and it pops off.

On my drag car it took 2 hours, on my black car it took 10 min, who knows lol

[sniperd]

Thanks guys, much appreciated

[GT347SC]

To get those e-brake cables out use the closed end of a 1/2 inch end wrench. slide it over the end that is flared and wiggle the cable out the back. works like a charm every time.

[sniperd]

I ended up using a worm clamp.

Swap went fine, Thanks for all the help guys. It definitely took me more then 4-5 hours though, But I did it by myself...

[1fst5.0]

thats what its about