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AXLES & PARTS
Early Bronco Rear Axle School
Let's cover some basics. The rear end refers to the entire rear axle assembly. The different parts of the rear end are the brakes, axles, axle housing, and the third member. The most common question we are asked is "How do I tell if I have a large or small bearing rear axle?" You can easily identify if you have large or small bearing axles by examining the ends of the axle housing.Photo 1 shows a small bearing axle housing. If you look close at the housing right where it meets the backing plate, there is no noticeable size invcrease where the axle bearing pocket is. Photo 2 and 3 show a large bearing axle housing and you can see a noticeable size increase where the axle housing meets the backing plate. If you have loose axles laying around, you can simply measure the outside diameter of the bearing. The small are 2.835" or just under 3" and the large are 3.150" or just over 3".
There are 4 different sets of rear axles that would have come stock in 66-77 Broncos. The original applications are as follows:
1. 66-75 small bearing,
2. 66-75 large bearing,
3. 74-75 medium duty large bearing, and
4. 76-77 large bearing.
Each of these sets have a driver and a passenger side axle. Each of these sets use corresponding backing plates and brake drums. The backing plates and drums are particular to each set and are not interchangeable with the exception of the 66-75 small bearing and 74-75 medium duty large bearing using the same brake drum.
So, how can you identify which large bearing set you have? it can be narrowed down this way: The inside diameter of the Bronco rear brake drum is approximately 10" or 11". So, if you have a large bearing and a 10" brake drum, you have what we call a 74-75 medium duty setup. That leaves us with the 66-75 large and 76-77 large. Both use an 11" brake drum. The 66-75 uses a narrower drum and corresponding brake shoes. We identify this as 11 X 1 3/4". The 76-77 uses an 11 X 2 1/4" drum and shoe. Note the difference in the backing plates * in photos 2 and 3. Photo 2 shows a 66-75 large bearing with 11 X 1 3/4" brakes. Photo 3 shows a 76-77 with 11 X 2 1/4" brakes. If you look close you can see the backing plate of the 66-75 appears wider. Please note that all of the original axle sets were 28 spline. See Photo 4. With an increase in spline count comes an increase in outside diameter of the axle and so you get an increase of strength. A very common upgrade is to install a set of 31 spline axles. All that is necessary to do this is a set of axles and a new differential and we would recommend a third member rebuild kit. 35 spline axles are another step up in the strength department but usually require a new differential housing. The 35 spline axle is common for the extreme rock crawlers.
The third member, also known as the differential housing, hogs head, and chunk, holds the differential, ring and pinion gears, and bearings. This is the part that bolts into the center of the axle housing. See photo 5. You have three choices of gear ratios that were stock. They would be 3.50 which is the most common, 4.11 and 4.56. There are many other ratios that can be used as well. The differential refers to the ring gear carrier and came stock either open or limited slip "posi" type. There are numberous upgrades such as Detroit Locker, ARB air locker, electric lockers, etc.
FEATURED PRODUCTS |
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 $249.99 Extreme Duty Rear Axle Set 66-75 Lg Bearing 11" Drum |
 $324.99 Extreme Duty Rear Axle Set 66-75 Sm Bearing 10" Drum |
 $134.99 Heavy Duty Rear Axle 66-75 Sm Bearing 10" Drum Right |
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Extreme Duty Rear Axle Set 66-75 Sm Bearing 10" Drum | |
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Item #: 8600 Ready to install, our axles come with studs, bearings and retainers pressed in completely assembled. Just pull them out of the box and install. Extreme Duty Rear Axle Set, 1966-75, Sm Bearing, 10" x 2 1/2" brake drum Extreme Duty Rear Axles * 31 or 35 spline * Tapered roller bearings * 1541-H alloy Wild Horses extreme duty rear axles are the finest quality axles available. You'll have peace of mind knowing these spline axles are in your rig, so you can tackle the tough terrain with confidence. Our Timken tapered-roller bearings handle the side loads and larger tires far better than the stock sealed ball bearings. 35 spline sets are special order only. Small bearing axles are not available with tapered-roller bearing. We use a conversion bearing which allows us to use 31 spline in the small bearing housing. Other Shopping Features |
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Prices start at: $324.99 Various Options Available |
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Extreme Duty Rear Axle Set 66-75 Lg Bearing 11" Drum | |
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Item #: 8602 Ready to install, our axles come with studs, bearings and retainers pressed in completely assembled. Just pull them out of the box and install. Extreme Duty Rear Axle Set, 1966-75, Lg Bearing, 11" x 1 3/4" Brake Drum Extreme Duty Rear Axles * 31 or 35 spline * Tapered roller bearings * 1541-H alloy Wild Horses extreme duty rear axles are the finest quality axles available. You'll have peace of mind knowing these spline axles are in your rig, so you can tackle the tough terrain with confidence. Our Timken tapered-roller bearings handle the side loads and larger tires far better than the stock sealed ball bearings. 35 spline sets are special order only. Other Shopping Features |
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Prices start at: $249.99 Various Options Available |
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Extreme Duty Rear Axle Set 74-75 Lg Bearing 10" Drum | |
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Item #: 8604 Ready to install, our axles come with studs, bearings and retainers pressed in completely assembled. Just pull them out of the box and install. Extreme Duty Rear Axle Set, 1974-75, Lg Bearing, 10" x 2 1/2" Brake Drum Extreme Duty Rear Axles * 31 or 35 spline * Tapered roller bearings * 1541-H alloy Wild Horses extreme duty rear axles are the finest quality axles available. You'll have peace of mind knowing these spline axles are in your rig, so you can tackle the tough terrain with confidence. Our Timken tapered-roller bearings handle the side loads and larger tires far better than the stock sealed ball bearings. 35 spline sets are special order only. Other Shopping Features |
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Prices start at: $249.99 Various Options Available |
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Extreme Duty Rear Axle Set 76-77 Lg Bearing 11" Drum | |
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Item #: 8606 Ready to install, our axles come with studs, bearings and retainers pressed in completely assembled. Just pull them out of the box and install. Extreme Duty Rear Axle Set, 1976-77, Lg Bearing, 11" x 2 1/4" Brake Drum Extreme Duty Rear Axles * 31 or 35 spline * Tapered roller bearings * 1541-H alloy Wild Horses extreme duty rear axles are the finest quality axles available. You'll have peace of mind knowing these spline axles are in your rig, so you can tackle the tough terrain with confidence. Our Timken tapered-roller bearings handle the side loads and larger tires far better than the stock sealed ball bearings. 35 spline sets are special order only. Other Shopping Features |
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Prices start at: $249.99 Various Options Available |
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Heavy Duty Rear Axle 66-75 Sm Bearing 10" Drum Right | |
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Item #: 8650 Heavy Duty Rear Axle, 1966-75, Sm Bearing, 10" x 2 1/2" Brake Drum, 28 Spline, Right These axles are stronger and made of better material than the factory axles. Studs, bearing and retainer are installed for you. Take them out of the box and bolt them in. It's that simple. Other Shopping Features |
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Heavy Duty Rear Axle 66-75 Sm Bearing 10" Drum Left | |
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Item #: 8652 Heavy Duty Rear Axle, 1966-75, Sm Bearing, 10" x 2 1/2" Brake Drum , 28 Spline Rear Axles, Left These axles are stronger and made of better material than the factory axles. Studs, bearing and retainer are installed for you. Take them out of the box and bolt them in. It's that simple. Other Shopping Features |
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Heavy Duty Rear Axle 66-75 Lg Bearing 11" Drum Right | |
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Item #: 8654 Heavy Duty Rear Axle, 1966-75, Lg Bearing, 11" x 1 3/4" Brake Drum, 28 Spline Right These axles are stronger and made of better material than the factory axles. Studs, bearing and retainer are installed for you. Take them out of the box and bolt them in. It's that simple. Other Shopping Features |
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Heavy Duty Rear Axle 66-75 Lg Bearing 11" Drum Left | |
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Item #: 8656 Heavy Duty Rear Axle, 1966-75, Lg Bearing, 11" x 1 3/4" Brake Drum, 28 Spline, Left These axles are stronger and made of better material than the factory axles. Studs, bearing and retainer are installed for you. Take them out of the box and bolt them in. It's that simple. Other Shopping Features |
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Heavy Duty Rear Axle 74-75 Lg Bearing 10" Drum Right | |
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Item #: 8658 Heavy Duty Rear Axle, 1974-75, Lg Bearing, 10" x 2 1/2" Brake Drum, 28 Spline Rear Axles, Right These axles are stronger and made of better material than the factory axles. Studs, bearing and retainer are installed for you. Take them out of the box and bolt them in. It's that simple. Other Shopping Features |
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Heavy Duty Rear Axle 74-75 Lg Bearing 10" Drum Left | |
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Item #: 8661 Heavy Duty Rear Axle, 1974-75, Lg Bearing, 10" x 2 1/2" Brake Drum, 28 Spline, Left These axles are stronger and made of better material than the factory axles. Studs, bearing and retainer are installed for you. Take them out of the box and bolt them in. It's that simple. Other Shopping Features |
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Heavy Duty Rear Axle 76-77 Lg Bearing 11" Drum Right | |
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Item #: 8663 Heavy Duty Rear Axle, 1976-77, Lg Bearing, 11" x 2 1/4" Brake Drum, 28 Spline, Right These axles are stronger and made of better material than the factory axles. Studs, bearing and retainer are installed for you. Take them out of the box and bolt them in. It's that simple. Other Shopping Features |
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Heavy Duty Rear Axle 76-77 Lg Bearing 11" Drum Left | |
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Item #: 8665 Heavy Duty Rear Axle, 1976-77, Lg Bearing, 11" x 2 1/4" Brake Drum, 28 Spline, left These axles are stronger and made of better material than the factory axles. Studs, bearing and retainer are installed for you. Take them out of the box and bolt them in. It's that simple. Other Shopping Features |
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Small Axle Bearing | |
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Item #: 8622 Small Axle Bearing Other Shopping Features |
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Large Axle Bearing | |
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Item #: 8625 Large Axle Bearing Other Shopping Features |
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Tapered Roller Bearing | |
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Item #: 8628 Tapered Roller Bearing Other Shopping Features |
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Small Axle Seal | |
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Item #: 8631 Small Axle Seal Other Shopping Features |
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Large Axle Seal | |
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Item #: 8634 Large Axle Seal Other Shopping Features |
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Heavy Duty Retainer | |
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Item #: 8643 Heavy Duty Retainer Other Shopping Features |
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Prices start at: $12.00 Various Options Available |
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Wrap Trap | |
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Item #: 1190 Axle wrap is a common problem in old Broncos. We have seen so-called traction bars in varying configurations. Many which don't work or cause serious ground clearance and travel reduction issues. The WH Wrap Trap is the simple answer that can help this problem. First allow us to explain what axle wrap is. When torque is applied to the rearend by the driveshaft, that torque is applied to the pinion yoke, which is attached to the pinion gear. As the pinion gear turns it tries to "climb" up the ring gear. All this torque rotates the entire rearend housing upward if you are going forward and down if you are in reverse. That in a nut shell is axle wrap. In the worst scenarios we have experienced the rear axle housing wraps until the rear driveshaft lower yoke breaks from the bind that is placed on it. The design of the Wrap Trap virtually eliminates axle wrap in forward and reverse under slow rock crawling situations. The Wrap Trap does not affect articulation because of its centered mounting position. We feel this is a must for rock crawlers who want to keep from tearing up rear drive shafts. Axle wrap can further be reduced with some simple maintenance like keeping the U-bolts tight. For the best axle control package, install our Extreme duty U-bolt kit with the Wrap Trap. If you are having a problem with axle wrap you will notice a big difference from the moment you install the Wrap Trap. CLICK HERE for Installation Instructions Other Shopping Features |
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