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New Gears when installing new diff carrier??

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Crazi

Why Try...
Joined
May 26, 2001
Messages
541
Went to a shop a few weeks ago to get my new diff installed and the guy asked me where the gears were. Told him I wanted to reuse the gear and pinion and he advised against it. Mentioned something about the wear pattern changing and causing issues because of the new carrier. Anyone ever heard of this?

Did a couple of searches and it seems that most people reuse the same gearset as long as its in good condition. Was thinking about doing it myself and just keeping the shims in the right place but getting the ring gear off the carrier seems to be the hardest part.

So new gears or no??? If so, which ones. Mainly a street car but want to run at the track (3 times a year tops) once all is done.
 
You will need a dial indicator to measure your existing gear tooth clearance or backlash it should be in the .004 to .012 range. Install the new carrier with your old gears and adjust the shims to get the same backlash you had and you will be good. The shims will most likely need to be different than the ones that were in there to get the backlash right.
 
Most likely after it's put back together you'll have gear noise. I think when using old gears the only way to possibly avoid it is to index the gears before it comes apart. (Make sure the teeth on the pinion hit the exact teeth on the ring gear) Of course I asked my rear end guy about this, and he told me he never heard of anyone doing it.
 
first thing he should do is measure the backlash and wear pattern of current gear set , if its out of spec then gears are worn and shimming is possible if the gear pattern looks good after shim
if in spec just reinstall to what it was at with old carrier
no way to index, the pinion teeth dont stay on same gear teeth , they change every rotation.
 
pacecarta is correct. The gears are a hunting gear set so you don't have to index them. If the gears are in good shape just measure the backlash before you disassemble the rear then match the backlash when you put the new carrier in. I have done it many times with no issues.
 
Found another shop that quoted a little more than half the price of the first shop. $350 vs $600. Is it just me or does 600 sounds a little high considering I have the bearings and everything needed and all I am asking for is labor? Plus them trying to sell me a set of gears without even seeing the condition of whats in there...
 
If the 350 shop is reputable and will back up their work then that's the way to go.

D
 
Are the gears ok in your car now---- are they noisy or quiet, If there are not making noise you are most likely ok. You are looking at about 2-3 hours to r+r a rear differential, clean everything and reset the backlash. Part of the cost should be a shim kit and new axle seals. Not a big deal to do this and re use the original gears.
 
Rear is quiet now. Just need to replace the Auburn posi that has become a peg leg. I have the Ratech kit which includes a shim kit, and all bearings required to rebuild the rear end. So its JUST labor. That's why my diff carrier is still sitting on the floor waiting to be installed. I R+R'd wheel bearings and seals plus carrier bearings before and it was my first time in any rear end. Took me about 6 hours. 2-3 hours sounds about right for an experienced shop.

http://drivelinespecialist.com/ Thats the shop and they specialize in driveline stuff. Gonna do some research on them and see what I find. I'd have to buy a dial indicator and whatever else I need so I'm leaning towards getting it done by a shop.

Thanks for the advice!
 
Rear is quiet now. Just need to replace the Auburn posi that has become a peg leg. I have the Ratech kit which includes a shim kit, and all bearings required to rebuild the rear end. So its JUST labor. That's why my diff carrier is still sitting on the floor waiting to be installed. I R+R'd wheel bearings and seals plus carrier bearings before and it was my first time in any rear end. Took me about 6 hours. 2-3 hours sounds about right for an experienced shop.

http://drivelinespecialist.com/ Thats the shop and they specialize in driveline stuff. Gonna do some research on them and see what I find. I'd have to buy a dial indicator and whatever else I need so I'm leaning towards getting it done by a shop.

Thanks for the advice!
Your welcome let me know if I can help you further.
 
$600 for a gear change is typical but that includes all parts and labor. That's a little steep for a carrier change especially when you are supplying the parts. $300-$350 is fair for a carrier change. It just so happens I will be changing a carrier out for a friend tomorrow.
 
I've done this several times without issues. Measure the backlash before pulling the carrier and set it to the same with the new carrier. Other then that it is plug & play.

RemoveBeforeFlight
 
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