Aluminum alignment bushings that hold Ford 8.8 housing ends square and centered on a bar while you cut, narrow and weld the axle tubes.
Narrowing a Ford 8.8 is one of the most common moves in a swap build: an Explorer or F-150 axle under a Jeep, a Ranger axle under a hot rod, or an 8.8 tucked under a car that needs wider tires inside the fenders. The cutting is easy. Getting the housing ends back on square and centered is the hard part. This kit is a set of machined 6061 aluminum alignment bushings (part number A75N17001ALS1) that lock the housing ends and the carrier bearing bores onto one straight bar while you tack and weld.
An 8.8 is a semi-float axle: the axle bearing rides in the end of each tube and the shaft is held in at the carrier. Once a tube is shortened, the end you weld back on has to sit on the same centerline as the carrier bearing bores. The two 3.062 in. carrier bushings drop into those bores, a straight alignment bar passes through them, and the end bushings fit inside the new housing ends so the ends are held on that bar. Lock rings with set screws keep each bushing from walking while you work. The result is that you weld to a fixed reference instead of a tape measure and a straightedge.
The 8.8 center section is offset, so measure your target width and decide whether both tubes come in or only one side; sometimes shortening a single side gets you there and also centers the pumpkin better for your driveshaft. Remember the axle shafts must match the new housing, so plan on shortened and resplined axles or custom-length shafts. Our Ford 8.8 problems and rebuild cost guide covers which 8.8 versions are worth starting with, and C-clip vs C-clip eliminator explains your axle retention options while the housing is apart.
The kit is for Ford 8.8 in. rear axle housings. The end bushings cover both common 8.8 axle bearing sizes: 2.535 in. for pickup and SUV housing ends and 2.25 in. for car housing ends. Measure your bearing bore before you start so you use the right end bushing. The carrier bushings are 3.062 in. The alignment bar itself is not included. The independent-suspension 8.8 has no axle tubes to narrow, and the 12-bolt Super 8.8 uses larger bearings, so measure its bores before assuming these bushings fit. If you are unsure which housing you have, send us the axle tag or your year and VIN. More fabrication and setup tools are in our tools category.
Once the housing is back together it is the right time for fresh internals. The USA Standard ZK F8.8 master overhaul kit replaces bearings and seals, the Yukon CK F8.8 carrier installation kit covers the carrier side if that is all you are refreshing, and a Yukon steel 8.8 cover finishes the housing. If you set up new gears at the same time, follow our ring and pinion break-in procedure.
| Fits | |
| Housing end bushings | |
| Carrier bushings | |
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Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
No. The kit contains the housing end bushings, carrier bushings and lock rings. You supply a straight alignment bar that passes through all of them.
Pickup and SUV 8.8 housing ends generally use the 2.535 in. bearing and car housing ends the 2.25 in. bearing. Measure the bearing bore in your housing end before setup; the kit includes both sizes.
It is made for the standard 10-bolt 8.8 solid rear axle housing. The IRS 8.8 has no axle tubes to narrow, and the 12-bolt Super 8.8 uses larger bearings, so measure its bores against the bushing sizes before buying.
Yes. The axle shafts must be shortened and resplined or replaced with custom-length shafts to match the new housing width.
Aluminum will not scratch the carrier bearing bores or housing end bores while you slide parts on and off during setup.
