Ring and Pinion

[john h]

All,

If you want to change a ring ratio, does the whole Diff essentially need to be set up all over again just as it would for a major rebuild? I'm considering buying a Gear vendors unit but I'm not 100% sure on that but I do need my Diff gone through for sure.  I have a 3:55 ring now but I may want a 3:93 if I went with the gear vendors in the future.  Just trying to get my plan straight and not waste too much money.

Thanks for any info
John

[73_Cuda_4_Me]

You 'could' mark everything and measure shims on pinion, providing gear mesh looks good, bearings look good, and not too much backlash, then slap back together and 'hope' it'll be fine... but if you're getting into it that far, I'd change bearings and reset correctly per FSM... Better to do it once the right way, as Chryco always advises (so wisely!)...

 

[Cudakiller70]

When changing gear ratios, it's all coming apart. Might as well inspect the parts and replace as needed. You don't want to do all this work and have to take it all apart again. As said above don't skimp on this part. Good luck

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Yes, the gears need to be completely setup again when changing ratios or even gear sets of the same ratio. You can -start- your setup with the existing shims or settings, but it needs to be patterned and verified correct.

[jhaag]

Agree with Goody. Every gear set is different. Pinion depth changes, backlash changes, all need to be checked and reset.

[dakota]

For what it's worth...

I am on the tail end of doing a rebuild on 3rd member - new pinion and ring gear (went with a 3.93), new pinion bearings and new carrier bearings.   I tried to use the crush sleeve eliminator, but i couldn't get enough torque on it to get the preload into range, so I went back to the crush sleeve that came with the bearing kit.   From what I've read, folks have had good success with the eliminator but I'm not one of them.  I may have done something wrong with it, but even with my impact gun maxed out, it didn't work.   Good luck with whatever you decide.

A word to the wise:  ring gear bolts are left hand thread.   They can be sheared off pretty easily if turned the wrong way with an impact gun.   Ask me how I know.

[john h]

Thanks for the replies everyone.  I will have the diff done this winter and I can't say for sure right now I will go with the Gear Vendors unit, so I guess I will just keep the same 3:55 ring.  New of course. 1 ride with much bigger (wider tires and 17" rims) made the gear noise much more offensive .  I do have the rear interior torn out currently but man the howl was prominent.  I need to have this done before the spring for sure.  Unless I come into some money from a rich relative I don't know I have, No OD unit in my near future.

Thanks
John