Rear end counterweight needed?

BLACK85GT · 01-13-2003, 08:18 PM

Just got my new rear end in and had a question about the counter weight and snubber on the old rear. Do I need this big thing on my new rear end? or is it just extra weight? I am putting the Hotchkis upper and lower control arms with new springs. Finally a 3:73!!!

01-13-2003, 08:56 PM

I've been told you can ditch that hunk of metal. I still haven't gotten around to taking mine off. Ford originally put it on there to help drivetrain dampening/vibration. I haven't heard of anybody having problems once it's removed.

RICKYRM125CC · 01-13-2003, 09:04 PM

Ya what he said. I ditched mine and have had no problems.You will save on weight that thing weighes a ton. I have heard that there is no effect on a rearends after the gears are changed. good luck

mike72678 · 01-14-2003, 01:14 AM

i got rid of mine and i did not notice any difference so you should be fine .

crazypete · 01-14-2003, 03:22 PM

It only works on 2.73 and 3.08's anyway so there is no point whatsoever of reinstalling it.

Chevyguy · 01-14-2003, 06:50 PM

If you guys have noticed the Mustang driveline is vibration prone anyways. Switching to aluminum DS reduces the weight and improves the balance vs a properly balanced steel shaft.

Switching to steeper gears from the stock 3.08/2.73 will actually INCREASE the vibrations since the driveshaft will be spinning faster on the highway thus more vibrations, especially in 5th gear.

I would not bother to pull it off, but if the rear is out, might as well get rid of the counterweight. A good set of Vert mounts, aluminum DS, and a properly set up pinion angle should elimnate any vibrations without the factory bandaid.

01-13-2003, 08:18 PM	#1
BLACK85GT Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Tampa,FLORIDA Posts: 340	Rear end counterweight needed? Just got my new rear end in and had a question about the counter weight and snubber on the old rear. Do I need this big thing on my new rear end? or is it just extra weight? I am putting the Hotchkis upper and lower control arms with new springs. Finally a 3:73!!! __________________ 5.0, Holley heads, 1.7 Scorp Rockers, Stealth intake, Holley 600 carb, Holley Mech. Fuel pump, MSD 6Digital, MSD distributor, Hotchkis upper/lower rear control arms, FMS B Springs, 3:73 (8.8) rear. Production # 9,377

01-13-2003, 08:56 PM	#2
Simi Stang Guest Posts: n/a	counterweight I've been told you can ditch that hunk of metal. I still haven't gotten around to taking mine off. Ford originally put it on there to help drivetrain dampening/vibration. I haven't heard of anybody having problems once it's removed.

01-13-2003, 09:04 PM	#3
RICKYRM125CC Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: CLAYCOMO MISSOURI Posts: 9	Ya what he said. I ditched mine and have had no problems.You will save on weight that thing weighes a ton. I have heard that there is no effect on a rearends after the gears are changed. good luck __________________ 91 Mustang GT TFS Heads 150 Shot NITROUS EXPRESS 3.73's 70MM Throttle Body 73 MM Mass Air 24lb. Injectors 190lb.Fuel Pump Crane HI-6 PS-91 Coil Cobra Upper Intake GT-40 Lower Cold Air Kit Crane 2030 Cam 1 5/8 Shorty Headers 2 1/2 Exhaust Off Rode H-Pipe Center Force Duel Friction Clutch Fidanze Aluminum Flywheel Aluminum Drive Shaft

01-14-2003, 03:22 PM	#5
crazypete Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Boston Posts: 592	It only works on 2.73 and 3.08's anyway so there is no point whatsoever of reinstalling it. __________________ 91 GT Carb conversion, holley 600 double pumper, edelbrock performer intake, FMS "C" drop springs, march 1000 underdrive pullies, crane 1.7 roller rockers, GT-40P headers, bassani x pipe, american thunder catback, FMS 4.56's, msd aL6, trunkmount battery, A/C eliminator kit, 3000 stall tci streetfighter, AOD with transgo kit, A+ servo, 300M hardened lockup shaft, kevlar bands and 28,000 gvw trans cooler, 3 core radiator, 300 lbs stripped with a full interior

01-14-2003, 06:50 PM	#6
Chevyguy Backyard Mechanic/Chemist Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Acton MA USA Posts: 435	If you guys have noticed the Mustang driveline is vibration prone anyways. Switching to aluminum DS reduces the weight and improves the balance vs a properly balanced steel shaft. Switching to steeper gears from the stock 3.08/2.73 will actually INCREASE the vibrations since the driveshaft will be spinning faster on the highway thus more vibrations, especially in 5th gear. I would not bother to pull it off, but if the rear is out, might as well get rid of the counterweight. A good set of Vert mounts, aluminum DS, and a properly set up pinion angle should elimnate any vibrations without the factory bandaid. __________________ 2001 Crown Vic Maurader Airbox/MAF, DR chip Edel IAS shocks Single exhaust :wtf: 93 P-71 Vic interceptor Backup car now 90 5.0 LX Notch SOLD 74 Chevy Laguna type S-3 454 under construction Currently apart undergoing bodywork.

01-14-2003, 01:14 AM	#4
mike72678 MW Link Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: rochester , ny Posts: 79	i got rid of mine and i did not notice any difference so you should be fine .

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
new rear end	fordkid68	Classic Mustangs	18	11-24-2009 08:05 PM
What kind of rear end do I have?	Stang_ROTY	Windsor Power	3	01-29-2005 02:46 PM
want rear disk without changing overall length of rear....please help!!!	dragstang86	Windsor Power	1	07-31-2003 06:32 PM
installing cobra rear in my LX...picked up a totaled 93 limited edition	dragstang86	Windsor Power	1	05-26-2003 11:23 AM
Rear Brake Line Removal	Kisner	Classic Mustangs	2	03-13-2002 12:31 PM