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!!!

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.

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

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

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

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.