Sheared ring gear bolts in a 2011 with Torsen

[RayR]

Hi, I am Racing a 2011 GT, 416whp, 315/30/18 square setup,, 4.10 torsen 8.8 diff.
When Racing at Sebring over New Year’s weekend, my car suddenly had no drive. There was a noise coming from the diff. I pulled the diff cover and discovered that the bolts from the axle to the ring gear had sheared off. Has anyone experienced this problem? Is the 8.8 strong enough to handle the horsepower and tire combination? Would grade 8 bolts be a fix? Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Ray.

 

[67GTA]

Likely came loose first and then sheared. Lots of 8.8’s handling much higher horsepower in tougher conditions with drag racers, so they’re plenty strong. But the ring gear bolts have to be properly cleaned, loctite properly applied and carefully torqued. I’ll have to dig a bit but I recall reading specific instructions on the ring gear bolts when I rebuilt mine.

 

[steveespo]

Hi, I am Racing a 2011 GT, 416whp, 315/30/18 square setup,, 4.10 torsen 8.8 diff.
When Racing at Sebring over New Year’s weekend, my car suddenly had no drive. There was a noise coming from the diff. I pulled the diff cover and discovered that the bolts from the axle to the ring gear had sheared off. Has anyone experienced this problem? Is the 8.8 strong enough to handle the horsepower and tire combination? Would grade 8 bolts be a fix? Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Ray.

I had this happen way back in 2014 at Road America. Bolts backed out on 7 of the 10 and two came all the way out. One had its head sheared off and the bolt section shot out of the cover like a .38 slug. All the lube dumped and I got black flagged. We sourced bolts and a local race team welded up the hole. Missed half a day but ran the next two no issue. That rear axle ran in that car right up until just last year. Ford still make the best ring gear/differentials/bearing sets in the industry.

 

[RayR]

I had this happen way back in 2014 at Road America. Bolts backed out on 7 of the 10 and two came all the way out. One had its head sheared off and the bolt section shot out of the cover like a .38 slug. All the lube dumped and I got black flagged. We sourced bolts and a local race team welded up the hole. Missed half a day but ran the next two no issue. That rear axle ran in that car right up until just last year. Ford still make the best ring gear/differentials/bearing sets in the industry.

 

[RayR]

Thx for the feedback, I’ll source replacement bolts and use red loctite

 

[blacksheep-1]

Thx for the feedback, I’ll source replacement bolts and use red loctite

See if ARP makes them. You can overtorque the stock ones, or they can stretch.

 

[TA28]

Blacksheep right ARP does make the bolts for 8.8 . Ford bolts are grade 8 . But arp far superior.

 

[RayR]

Thx, Everyone,
I have already sourced ARP bolts; it seems as if the person who built the rear did not use any loctite. I'm not finding any residue on the old bolt threads

 

[steveespo]

Thx for the feedback, I’ll source replacement bolts and use red loctite

I used red locktite too, they still backed out. Safety wiring is the NASCAR way. I think you can actually source pre drilled Ford ring gear bolts. If i recall correctly, 8.8 are the same 7/16 fine thread 3/4" underhead length bolts as Ford 9" stuff. Search if interested. Super 8.8 went to metric.

 

[steveespo]

https://www.amazon.com/Mark-Williams-57900-Ring-Gear/dp/B00CFGA7HS Amazon is amazing!!