Trike build, Ranger 8.8 rear end

[Phil in Lowgap]

Hi, I'm a newbe on this forum.

I'm building a trike from a 06 Suzuki S-50 using a Ranger 8.8 rear end of undetermined year from a junkyard.

Because of the rotation of the Suzuki's drive shaft, I have had to flip the rear end over. The vent has been plugged and another one drilled & tapped into the top of the axle tube.


The axles and tubes have been cut and welded and the load will not be very demanding but there is some noise from the differential and I would like to replace all the bearings.


I have never been inside a differential before, could someone please point me in the right direction?

Thanks.

 

[basilfaulty]

Since you flipped it over it is now running in reverse all of the time. Differentials are not designed to run in reverse full time and you are likely to have issues. Since they are splash oiled by the gears carrying the oil and throwing it a certain direction it might not be oiling correctly in reverse. Plus now you are using the backside (weaker side) of the gears full time and backlash is not setup that way. If you are changing out bearings you may be able to get a reverse gearset (I dont know if that is possible though).

 

[Phil in Lowgap]

Thank you.