Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironangel
If your pattern looks good, set the pinion preload
and then the backlash. Setting the pinion preload can be tricky, you need a dial inch pound torque wrench. Holding the yoke while you make slight increases in tightening the pinion nut until you reach 13-15 inch pounds of preload which is resistance. It's very easy to go to far so once that nut gets tight you still have to crush the sleeve about 3/32" more to achieve the correct preload. Then set the backlash...Did you get your initial backlash of .006" using the cast iron shims? It would be surprising and a stroke of luck if you did, thats why I suggested the Super Shim packs, they allow any thickness sandwiched between two thick protective outer layer shims allowing you to tap the shims in place with a nylon or hard plastic drift. Getting the carrier tight minimizes deflection under load. I actually take a preload measurement of the carrier by adding 10 -15 inch pounds to the pinion preload to read anywhere between 20 - 30 total inch pounds on the 12-bolts. Hope I didnt overwhelm or confuse you, sounds like you have a good handle on the situation, good luck.  Axle width is 55.5 wide with 30.5 long axles on the narrow rear end. And
axle width is 57 wide with 31 5/16 long axles on the wider rear end. later rear ends... |
That makes perfect sense, I appreciate your help. I did get an install kit with new bearing, races, seals, pinion nut, and a boat load of shims. I did not reuse the cast iron shims. I used the thick protective shims with the small shims sandwiched inside. I got it tight enough that i had to use a soft hammer to tap them in, but ramrod them in. My pinion bearing preload i got to 15 in/lbs rotational force. I bought a special tool that holds the yoke so that I could tighten the nut. You are right, that is very easy to go to far. I used a crush sleeve and I think next time I do it I would like to try a solid spacer instead. I am satisfied with how everything turned out, I was just more concerned about that fact that I had to set my pinion depth different that the manufactures reading in order to get a good pattern on the teeth. I guess theres only one way to really know, button it up and drive it. Im not hard on my stuff so im not worried about breaking anything, I just dont want to hear a howl. Which is the main reason i did this in the first place