Ford 8.8-Inch Rear Axle Housing, Tubes & 10-Bolt Cover
Nodular cast-iron center carrier housing with 3.25-inch pressed steel axle tubes that carry the rear weight of the truck.
Role in the System
What This Assembly Is
The structural beam of the rear suspension is the Ford 8.8-inch rear axle housing: a heavy nodular cast-iron center "pumpkin" casting into which two 3.25-inch diameter seamless steel tubes are hydraulically pressed and plug-welded, complete with welded leaf-spring perches, shock brackets, axle breather vent, and the 10-bolt stamped steel rear cover.
Mechanics & Physics
How the Subcomponents Work Together
Semi-Floating Load Path: Unlike an independent suspension where the differential is bolted to the frame, a solid live axle carries the entire rear curb weight and payload of the pickup through its steel tubes and leaf-spring perches while keeping the rear wheels perpendicular to the road.
Other Assemblies in This System
Two-Piece Driveshaft, Slip Yoke, U-Joints & Carrier Bearing
Long-wheelbase two-piece tubular propeller shaft with a rubber-isolated center support bearing and three Spicer 1330 U-joints.
Ford 8.8-Inch Hypoid Ring & Pinion, Differential & RABS
Turns driveshaft torque 90 degrees, multiplies torque through an 8.8-inch hypoid ring gear, and splits wheel speeds in turns.
31-Spline Semi-Floating Axle Shafts, C-Clips & Bearings
Induction-hardened forged steel axle shafts retained inside the differential side gears by recessed C-clip locks.