Dana 44 pinion shims

[ChevyTruckGuy68]

Hello to fellow memebers, and happy holidays. I recently started pulling the front diffderential apart on my 67 k20 to swap in 4:10 gears instead of the factory 4:56. I completed the rear swap a while ago and waited to do the front because I knew it was going to be learning experience. I have been educated on grear mesh and pinion depth (which is all very new to me) . I was wondering if anyone new good source for shims for the pinion. The shims would go on the pinion between the Shaft and the cone bearing.

Thanks very much, Andrew.

[Bigdav160]

Shims for pinion depth or for bearing preload?

I have some, somewhere, but I don't remember whee I got them from.

When I changed gears in my D44, the aftermarket gear was marked +.001. It still had a nice pattern with the factory pinion depth shim.

[ChevyTruckGuy68]

Thank you. I happened to find a set online and bought them. It included shims for the ring gear bearings aswell. Did you have to re- shim the ring gear too or just the pinion. My father and I are hoping just to have to shim the pinion, because the ring gear seems very involved (Good experience though). Lastly did you happen to use a pinion depth Finder/ micrometer or just go by the meshing past? Any comments suggestions appreciated.

Thanks, Andrew.

[Bigdav160]

I do have a Dana service set but decided not to use it. I've got a couple hundred differential overhauls under my belt and the factory pinion shim is usually the right one.

I did do a final pattern check.

I changed the differential case to an e-locker. It did need side bearings so I had to re-shim for the backlash and preload. The only way to do it is to have special setup bearings because the shims are under the bearings. They usually don't last pulling them off and on.

If you need a set you can borrow mine.