The Chevy versus Ford debate is as old as these legendary car companies. The debate within the debate has long been GM 12-bolt versus Ford 9-inch. In truth the GM 12-bolt is a far more efficient ...

To combat that, Ford designed the 9-inch with three pinion support bearings ... "As long as there's still oil in it and the pinion seal hasn't blown, the axle will be OK," Bob told us.

but the Ford 9-inch will have better tooth engagement between the ring gear and pinion due to the angle of the teeth on the 9-inch design. And like a Corporate 14-bolt axle, the 9-inch has a third ...

Ford 9-inch rearends have a third "extra" pinion support bearing located at the rear of the drive pinion. Other rearends have only the traditional center two support bearings. The traditional view ...

The now-standard Ford 9-inch ... is the rear pinion-support bearing. Use a screwdriver to fold back the retaining tangs, then tap it and the race out of the case using a 1 1/16-inch socket.