Ring gear bolts sheared off

[paul blair]

I posted this in the engine and drivetrain section and searched around, no response yet so I am asking advise here! Was not much activity there. Any way the last beach ride all the ring gear bolts sheared off! Took the drive shaft out and made it home. The ring and pinion gears don't show any damage, wear pattern in the middle and no signs of wear. I want to reuse the ring gear and avoid a new setup. I want to drill, heat and easy out the bolts. I know the grade 8 bolts are tough. Only 10k on gear set. THANKS FOR ANY ADVISE--I LOVE THIS FORUM!

[Bigdav160]

I'll be the first one to say......I've never seen that before.

You can drill and re-use the gear. I don't see that you have much to lose. If it's noisy you'll want a new gear set.

But why are the bolts broken? Over torqued? I know OE gears come with new bolts. Maybe this is the reason.

[paul blair]

Thanks for the response Bigday160. No noise before it broke. Some one stated he thought the spacer between the carrier and gear is to blame. Or that RIGHT FOOT.

[geezer#99]

Where's the gear oil?
Should be some residue visible!

[kwmech]

Yup, a ring gear spacer will add to the problem. Grade 8 bolts torqued down with red lock-tite

[harpo231]

If the bolts where reused or improper torque applied . Seen this on a jeep a couple times .

[anew4961]

1 would pull it out clean it good then you may be able to take bolts out easy you can bet there is metal in it. ring gear looks fine from picture check pinion gear make sure it didn't chip a tooth. I have never seen this before good luck

[paul blair]

THAT SPACER? Not supposed to be there? Seems that the space should be made up at the bearing side. Still learning. A different carrier needed?

[paul blair]

If this spacer should not be there{I agree} where do I get a replacement carrier to make up the difference. 488 gears. Wonder why the last gear installer used a spacer.

[BILT4ME]

They used a spacer because they crossed over the threshold from 4.11 and under to over. When they installed the 4.88 gears, the ring is thinner and they didn't want to change the carrier because it is a LS.

So they cheaped out and used a spacer. If they didn't get CORRECT bolts, then the bolts were NOT long enough.

You can use the spacer, but the bolts MUST be the correct length, they MUST be torqued properly, and they should use a thread locking material on them.

Taller gears like that put a LOT of extra strain on the bolts.

The CORRECT way is to install a carrier that is designed for above 4.11 (numerically) gears.

[paul blair]

THANKS EVERYONE for YOUR input!!!!! ALL GOOD INFORMATION. I am thinking I need a series 4 carrier set up for 488 gears. Time to make some decisions.

[paul blair]

Is it possible to get rid of this spacer? What is the part called that bolts to the ring gear? I found series 3 and 4 carriers, but can't find the axle flanged part that bolts to gear. Am I stuck with this spacer?

[GASoline71]

The "flange" that the ring gear bolts to is part of the carrier. When you buy a 4 series carrier it's already there. But I'd do some research if a spacer will still be needed with 4.88 gears in a GM truck 12 bolt.

Gary

[paul blair]

THANKS Gary! I have been searching around--I find the carriers but not a spacer delete part or no reference to it.

[randy500]

Originally Posted by paul blair

THANKS Gary! I have been searching around--I find the carriers but not a spacer delete part or no reference to it.

No such thing as a spacer delete. The spacer is used to install 3:73 and numerical higher in a 3 series carrier.
Those gears will install fine in a 4 series carrier.

[CUSTOM/10]

There are 2 was to eliminate the spacer:
1) Get the correct carrier for the gears you are going to use.
2) See if anyone makes a set of ( THICK GEARS ) for the carrier you have. Basically with the thick gears the spacer is eliminated ( The extra thickness is built into the ring gear.)

That's what I did, but you will have to redo the gear set-up.

Gary

[CUSTOM/10]

Randy's shows a set of 4:88 thick gears on the page linked below.

https://www.ringpinion.com/b2c/Parts...RWD&DiffID=192

[paul blair]

Define CARRIER--is it the complete gear assembly or the axle housing? Is the housing shown a 3 carrier? still learning!

[paul blair]

Thanks CUSTOM/10 for Randy's--found the thick gear set! OUT OF STOCK

[57taskforce]

The carrier is the part the ring gear is bolted to that houses the limited slip clutches and spider gears. It is held in place by the bearing caps on either side of the ring gear and the axle shafts slide thru the carrier to engage into the spider gears within the carrier. As said above either a thick 4:88 gear set or the right carrier are the better solutions to the problem. The spacer has to have the right length bolts but even then I'd be more comfortable with the other options.

[paul blair]

THANKS 57 taskforce for YOUR information and every one else! Sorry for any dumb questions I asked. I learned a lot today. Thanks again for pointing me in the rite direction. Great People and Information Here!

[paul blair]

I was able to drill and easy out 5 broken ring gear bolts, the other 7, I was able to use a center punch and small hammer to remove. No sign of Loctite on ring gear or cap bolts and no damage to gears. This is on a Friends 70 BLAZER and my 1st experience with gears! I kept the shims, races and caps together and marked to go back where they came out. I know this is not the ideal set up because of the 488 thin gear and spacer but it has lasted 20+ years with lots of heavy beach use! QUESTION RED LOCTITE ON RING GEAR BOLTS? Will be using ARP bolts 3/8 24-1 1/4 at 50ftb torque and no Loctite on cap bolts. Thanks for any input, I have learned a lot from you all and u tube. Pinion preload ok. will check gear lash when assembled.

[indymachinist]

Arp makes a set of the ring gear bolts as well. I forget if they used loctite or not. I believe so.

[B. W.]

Yes, I de-grease the threads & bolts with brake cleaner & use red loctite.

[AussieinNC]

Originally Posted by paul blair

I was able to drill and easy out 5 broken ring gear bolts, the other 7, I was able to use a center punch and small hammer to remove. No sign of Loctite on ring gear or cap bolts and no damage to gears. This is on a Friends 70 BLAZER and my 1st experience with gears! I kept the shims, races and caps together and marked to go back where they came out. I know this is not the ideal set up because of the 488 thin gear and spacer but it has lasted 20+ years with lots of heavy beach use! QUESTION RED LOCTITE ON RING GEAR BOLTS? Will be using ARP bolts 3/8 24-1 1/4 at 50ftb torque and no Loctite on cap bolts. Thanks for any input, I have learned a lot from you all and u tube. Pinion preload ok. will check gear lash when assembled.

It looks like the bolts bottomed out in the gear without clamping fully against the carrier surface...make sure the bolts are not too long...
also...

not sure original bolts were correct grade...its not that easy to drill a true grade 8 bolt...these looks like grade 5 hardware store quality...