Doing my gears

[Blaine122300]

I want to do the gears myself. What tools do I need. I figure I can do it myself with the right tools, and I will save money in the long run. I WILL LEARN TO DO THEM MYSELF!! I figure If I spend $100.00 in tools, I will save a few hundred in labor. Im doing 33" tires eventually. I know an install kit with gears and traction devices for front and rear costs about $800-$900. I sound confused, 'cause I am.

Andy

 

[FMExplorer]

2 biggest tools are needle guage to measure backlash and calipers to measure shims.

Speed shops will have the tools - tell them what you are doing and you will get the right stuff. Don't worry about bearing presses - you can put them on with a rubber mallet if you're careful. Also - ask the speed shop for cheater bearings for testing bearing preload - that way you don't need to install and remove carrier bearings more than once.

Installing the ring on the carrier is easy. It will be very tight, but you can use the ring bolts to draw the ring onto the carrier. be sure to alternate sides when doing this. Probably 10 bolts to hold the ring on - work opposite bolts so the ring goes on straight. Torque to 75 lb/ft of torque. Then - remove one bolt, add red locktite and retorque to 75lbs. Repeat that until all bolts are locktited.

Hopefully this helps. I added an Auburn LS to my 8.8, so I have been most of the route already. I will be doing a full set in December on my truck.

Jon

 

[Blaine122300]

That is a lot of good info that I needed. thanks. btw, how long does it take to do one diff? Is it hard to figure out backlash and preload and all that stuff with the shims?

andy

 

[SteveVB]

some links

I just finished setting up some 4.10s in the Dana 35 front to install in my Navajo. It only took a couple of hours - I was working on the diff only it was already out of the truck.

I used a bearing separator and hammers and a jig made from some oak scraps to remove the bearings. Like Jon said get the set up and then take the final to a shop to have the bearings pressed on- I had a friend who did it for free, a guy down the street wanted $35 shop charge to do it for me, either was fine , I had the time to wait for a friend, or I would have taken it to the shop.

Heres some web references on axle work, not all are the Dana 35 or 8.8 but they all have useful info and should give you an idea of the tools and process.
Also do a search I posted another site on this site but now I cant find my book mark.

http://www.users.qwest.net/~ejtachell/Bronco/Front/Front.htm

http://www.users.qwest.net/~ejtachell/Bronco/Rear/Rear.htm

http://www.corral.net/tech/drivetrain/gears.html

http://dodgeram.org/tech/repair/axle/diagnosis/page5.html