Ford Rear End ( 8.8 )

[Hoodlifter One]

On a early Ford Mustang 8.8 rear end, there's a large
counterweight bolted to the front housing.
What was it used for ? Can it be removed without
causing a problem ?

[justen]

This is on the axle housing or is it like on the pinon or part of the driveshaft assembly? If it was on the housing I don't know for sure why it's there. It wouldn't really balance anything. Some axles were built for fitting different application so I dunno. Maybe it's actually a mounting for something.

[Dcramer]

I think it was to absorb vibrations from the driveline without transmitting them into the vehicle.

[justen]

Yeah I'm wondering if that's a mount for a stabilizer bar or shock. I don't see why you can't take that off unless it plugs a hole and keeps the dirt out.

In that case if it's on the housing it would be safe to take off, but make sure there's no hole there where dirt and water can get it. If dirt or something did get in there, that axle would be ruined after driving a few miles.

[Trader Ray]

It is part of a vibration dampener system. If the rear end is in the same car it came with leave it on there. Years ago Ford used to put them on the Transmission tail housing held on with three big bolts and you could tell when they were removed. It would appear they would do nothing but they did.

[Saltmine]

Ray is right. Instead of designing an engine-transmission that DIDN'T vibrate, Ford likes (to this day) to hang "dampener weights" on everything. The Crown Vic police cars had 'em on the transmission, differential, and (of all places) on both exhaust pipes.

Expeditions have them hung all over the place....There's probably an extra 200lbs of "dampeners" on an Expedition....and...it don't do any good.