Help with rust inside of rear end

[Ringo222]

I picked up a 95 cobra rear end it has 3.73 gears and 5 stud. I was really happy thought I scored a good rear. I open it up today and was not happy. It had been stored without fluid in the junk yard and was rusted on the inside. It seems to be surface rust but its on the gears. I pulled the axels they seem ok. I payed $400 for this rear so I have some money room. I am looking for advice, I could pull the pumkin clean everything put new bearings and seals. Would this be wise? Other than the pedal box and emergancy handle its the only donar parts I plan on using.

[Rich A]

I would definitely rebuild it (seals, bearings and clutch pack while you're in there).
I would check the gears for pitting before I would think about reusing them.

[COMPETITIONCOBRA]

Post a photo so we can see how bad it is... Should be no problem at all if the rust is light and you can clean it off with sandpaper or a wire brush on the gears but for sure replace the bearings. Once the bearings are pitted or any surface rust, they are junk.

[Ringo222]

Rust is light, I could clean it up. My worry was getting all the old rust out of the housing. I looked up the tubes and a couple of patches inside there. Thanks for the help with this.

[chmasy]

you could try this method Model A Ford Garage ~ Carbon Anode Electrolytic Rust Removal Method

[CCRsAC]

You could also disassemble the whole thing and have the housing dipped by someone like "Redi-strip." They did an old Ford 9" rear housing for me a few years ago and it came back looking like new, but with an anti-rust coating on it that could be painted over. Wonderful stuff, that process.

[smithtlw]

I have used a Bioshield product on a steel table with good results:

RustFree | Boeshield T-9®

It is phosphoric acid based solution that is very effective. I think if you put some on a rag and swabbed the ID of the tubes it would take care of it. Just be sure to neutralize it.

Todd