Drag Racing Discussions > Front Engine Dragsters

Nut protection.

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PSweeney:
I'm about to finish up fab on my digger and I'm still pondering whether to brace the axle case for an exploding ring gear.  My case is a Curries hot rod case, it must be 1/8in thick at least.  I'm running Pro Gears, Spool, iron case and 35 spline shafts and around 600bhp.  I know technically the chance of a ring gear exiting the case is minimal however, while I'm still doing the fab I was wondering whether to add something.  I'm thinking 1/4in steel strips welded on the inside of the case ? would welcome others thoughs ?

dusterdave173:
If I had to do it over I would skip this part to save the weight but...Being a rookie I too had same concerns--I cut the back off another 9 inch and welded it to mine making it a double wall--being a rookie I also put the oil fill in the wrong spot not knowing or thinking about the other side for ring gear inspection --oh well....

fuel749:
I don't install them unless a customer insists on it. The usual failure is the pinion support area of the case.  I've seen several cars strip teeth off the ring gear and never exit the housing. On a 600 horse FED with pro gears I wouldn't worry about it.

dreracecar:
It was a common myth many many years ago, but have never heard of one comming out enough to hurt any thing. More prevelent with open (difs) of failure since these are stock low hp units with a lot of parts and gears involved, but with a spool the ONLY thing that will happen is that you will knock the teeth off.
The main point of injury in those times is when all that stock stuff broke at speed, it would lock the whole rear end and the rear axle housing would try and spin out of the chassie and that has nailed a few drivers, Hence we now are required to have 4 bolts per side on the rear housing to mount to frame and anti rotation plates or struts to keep that from happening.
To me the bigger issue is people trying to use the stock Ford case and pinion support instead of and aftermarket unit, they are readely available and the priceing has come was down. I would be more worried of the pinion being pushed out the front of the case then the gears comming out the back

PSweeney:
thanks guys, I've run open diffs in a digger before and raced without a thought.  I decided early on not to bother as the case is a good 3mm thick, but I'm at the point of wrapping up the fab and welding and wondered if it was worth doing.

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