is this a 1957 9" rear axle ?

[djfordmanjack]

This is the axle that came in my Ranch Wagon. measures 57-1/2" axle to axle. it has 3.25 gears.
Somehow I think that this is not a 57 axle or at least not the differential carrier/third member. can anybody confirm that ? pinion cover has a 8ZC casting number, is that a 1958 ?
Reason I am asking, want to order a new pinion seal and also need to know if 57 wagon wheel bearing seals will fit this axle.

[Lgcustom]

That is a 9" axle, but the pinion carrier looks too small to be a '57. Can't comment on the rest.

[lalessi1]

I will look at mine tomorrow, but I am sure you will have an answer by then. 57 1/2" sounds right off the top of my head.

[canadian_ranchero]

looks like it does not have the big pinion seal they used in 57 only. what size are the backing plate bolts? if they are 3/8 [9/16 socket] it is a small bearing housing.if they are 1/2 inch [3/4 socket] it is a big bearing housing. the wagon came with the big bearing housing

[djfordmanjack]

The bolts are 1/2" with 3/4 nuts. obviously is a wagon rear and I am pleased to hear that I already have the correct axle seals.
still wondering about the pinion.

[Ecode70D]

   Guenter
   I'm Glad that you have the wagon rear end.  Now, hopefully someone on the site has the number of the seal.
Do  you know that  it has a crush washer inside and that the nut has to be put on  to the exact spot where it is now?    I usually make a punch mark on the nut and one on the housing and count the turns to take the nut off.   After installing the seal, turn the nut on the exact same amount of turns and line up the punch marks.  Hopefully,  one of our kind members will give us the number , I'll get the pinion seal for you and put it in
Josef's car, or send it by mail.  Will try to call today at about  3:00 Mass. time if you are home.  While we are at it, give us the make and numbers of the new axle seals that you do have so we can check to make sure that they are correct.  Gotta go and get ready for church.  Jay
 

[hiball3985]

Agreed, that is not a 57 third member. If I recall the original 57 large pinion seal was made from some kind of leather not rubber. I can post a picture of a 57 third member vs later if you need it. Some 57's also had a different pinion flange for a mechanics type U joint.

[Ecode70D]

Guenter

    Now that Jim says that it's not a 57 third member.
    I think that we need a picture of the back face of that rear end.  Is it smooth or does it have a high spot for the ring gear?  JA

[hiball3985]

Guenter

    Now that Jim says that it's not a 57 third member.
    I think that we need a picture of the back face of that rear end.  Is it smooth or does it have a high spot for the ring gear?  JA

Jay, what year did they start using the the one with the high spot for the ring? I've never owned on that new 

[Ecode70D]

Jim
    I'm not sure also to when they came out with the high spot for the ring.   One thing for sure is that the 57 smooth ones sure do look nice from the back.  Someone is going to know for sure because this is the place to go for Ford answers even if it is not 57.   Jay
     

[hiball3985]

Jim
    I'm not sure also to when they came out with the high spot for the ring.   One thing for sure is that the 57 smooth ones sure do look nice from the back.  Someone is going to know for sure because this is the place to go for Ford answers even if it is not 57.   Jay
   

Thanks Jay. Has the snow melted away yet? How is the roof?

[djfordmanjack]

Thanx everybody for their input, Jay and Jim, yes my axle has the smooth 'pumpkin'. I will have to look through my spare parts to see the numbers. will be out of town for 2 days, but will come back here asap. It seems that my differential carrier is post 57.

[lalessi1]

Guenter, your carrier is not as "beefy" as the one I in my car which is the original rear end. It was ordered with a 3.89 ratio which may make it a different? ...My carrier has an extra vertical rib. According to the internet "humped" rear plates were post '66.

http://www.kevinstang.com/Ninecase.htm

[hiball3985]

Here is the original 57 ( left-red )  large carrier and seal with 3.89 gears from my Ranchero. The other is a later model with the small carrier and seal. I'm using the later model one I put new gears, bearings etc in the 57 now. The weak point on 9" rears is the rear pinion gear bearing area casting ( closes to the ring gear ) that where the casting cracks in hipo use.

[lalessi1]

Looked at the parts book, duh. There are two carriers listed for '57s C0AZ 4141-A and C2AZ 4141-B. The latter has large carrier bearings. There is only one pinion seal listed for '57's: 1 13/16" ID x 4 1/8" OD x 21/32" thick, PN B7A 4676-A.

It would seem you have the C0AZ while I have the C2AZ, carriers being dictated by R&P ratio.