There was a time when the Ford 9-inch axle was synonymous with strength. It was the must-have upgrade, not only for four-wheelers but for hot rodders and drag racers, too. It was plentiful, virtually ...

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. In 40-plus years of working on cars, I have tackled nearly every job, from simple tune-ups and fluid changes to complex engine swaps.

Automobile wheels spin round thanks to the miracle of wheel bearings. The bearings themselves contain rollers that spin around inside a cage. Wheel bearings are often tapered against the coned races ...

The Chevy 12-bolt axle shaft (left) is tapered; the Ford 9-inch shaft is the same diameter throughout its length, except for the short section just after the spline end. This makes it easy to narrow ...