Questioning My Ability

[icanfixall]

I really want to change me rear end gears to either 3.73 or 4.10 but I have never done a gear change setup job. I know whats in there but not knowing whats worn bothers me. I know I will install the shims to do away with the crush sleeve.. Thats something I never liked the idea of. I know I can pull out whats in there fine. Its the bearings and setup thats got me worried. It would be great to watch this job done one so I have an idea what to look for and what to watch out for. Can't say whats back there but what ever it is it came from Canada that way. I have never replaced the differancial. Any good books on this job.. I will probably do a utube search and see what comes up..

 

[junk]

Gary - If you find any good books or sites please pass them along. Rear ends don't seem that hard, but I have always paid to have them done.

 

[towcat]

I really want to change me rear end gears to either 3.73 or 4.10 but I have never done a gear change setup job. I know whats in there but not knowing whats worn bothers me. I know I will install the shims to do away with the crush sleeve.. Thats something I never liked the idea of. I know I can pull out whats in there fine. Its the bearings and setup thats got me worried. It would be great to watch this job done one so I have an idea what to look for and what to watch out for. Can't say whats back there but what ever it is it came from Canada that way. I have never replaced the differancial. Any good books on this job.. I will probably do a utube search and see what comes up..

textbook-wise, this job is very simple and straightforward. in the real world where the rear has seen use and the housing has been distorted and taken a set, you will play hell prying out the third member......getting it back in will be a bigger adventure. OTC does make a spreader that makes your job a breeze......but you will pay more for the tool than if you took it into a competent gear shop.
good luck and have fun!

 

[riotwarrior]

A case spreader is a good idea, some guys make em...not hard depends on what you feel is difficult.

Based on your previous experiences and how you have knowledge of setup of bearings and preloads etc I honestly don't see this as a problem. That being said Gary, if this is a ONE time thing, I'd really suggest just paying the man!

Or ...OR...bring your gear set you purhcase and any parts to a ralley and do it at a ralley for all to see. I'm sure there would be enough people to do this and assist you.

Here is a thread...long in tooth..pun inteded...you can see the differences in tooth pattern as he makes adjustments...
http://www.crawlinbc.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33820

Funny they don't agree with me and taking a pattern before the tear down of the diff and taking pics when using a used ring/pinion and resetting with new bearings or changing carriers...but that is ok. I trust my method and that's all that matters

There is even a home made case spreader in the thread to look at.

You have a Ford 10.25 rear diff thus I'd suggest upgrading to the newer 93 up ring pinion and yoke! There is more spline for yoke and less chance of wobble. Also you won't need a case spreader like on a Dana diff!

I know you could do this but do you really want to? I'd rather see your IC installed...

Just sayin...might be easier to pay the man! and install yer IC!

Al

 

[Hydro-idi]

Gary, what is the current gear ratio?

 

[icanfixall]

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My ratio is 3.55. I pull those nicely but the starts are tuff from a dead stop when towing ot hauling heavy. Freewat cruising is easy on the engine too. When I double the overdrive with the gear vendors I'm turning around 1850 at 85mph...

 

[Hydro-idi]

Seeing that picture, I think 4.10's will work just fine on your rig Gary......if you decide to change them out

 

[tbrumm]

Gary, Jim Allen (Powersmoker) put together an excellent book with Randy Lyman (Randy's Ring &Pinion) entitled Differentials - Identification, Restoration & Repair. It is a gearhead's "bedside reader"! Can't remember where I bought my copy - maybe 4 Wheel Parts? Anyway, it is "all you ever wanted to know about diffs but were afraid to ask". I bought the book because I wanted to learn how to set up my own gears and lockers (still haven't done one yet but someday I will!) The book is well written and goes into detail(with pics) on setup and proper gear marking pattern results. Maybe you could document your install for us and include lots of great pics. As if you didn't already have enough to do! Todd

 

[Dsl_Dog_Treat]

Gary, here's the tool ya need to spread your rear.





On the truck that is.
Did a lil horse trading for this gem dandy and figured it was a $100 deal. This OTC tool goes for over $400.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[riotwarrior]

Ron he has a Sterling/Ford 10.25 diff, why will he need the case spreader? I know you do for Dana but never heard a requirement for the Sterling...

Just curious.

Al

 

[stumiister]

Gary my gasser 1 ton needs a ring and pinion change Ill be watching this thred.

 

[Dsl_Dog_Treat]

Yeah Al, the sterlings need the 2x4 and pry bar method to pop the carriers out.
I just wanted to show off my tool and razz Gary a bit.
Yeah that's the tool used to spread the Dana axles.

 

[jaluhn83]

There's some pretty decent info on pirate 4x4 too, let me see if I can find it.

Seems like it's pretty simple in theory, but one of those things where the special tools and general experience needed makes it iffy for the backyard mechanic. I've little doubt that a reasonably talented person could make it work, but I'd probably also figure on taking a fair bit of time to do it too.

I usually find that I have to do something 2-3 times over to finally get it done right when it's something new like that.

The other thing is the trust factor - when it's a shop doing it's easier to assume it was done right and just drive the thing, especially having that warranty piece of mind. I may be more of a hypochondriac than most but I always find myself worrying that I messed up something and that little vibration and rattling noise is the engine about to come apart of whatever. Mind you, that may be based in having things break more than once on me because of some little mistake, but whatever.....

 

[sle2115]

What you need to do it...patience...LOTS of patience! lol Mine probably has 5000 miles on the 3.73's that I put in, wasn't super hard, used the crush sleeve and the carrier went in and out probably 20 times. But it was setup exactly as it needed to be and I have no noise and everything works...I installed the limited slip carrier in my non-limited slip rear end and changed the gear set in the Dana 60 up front as well. Took some time, but having driven 3.55 and 4.10 equipped trucks (mine has had both) I would do it all over. The 3.73's are what I would consider the perfect gear set for my uses.

 

[hce]

If you can spend the money get ford gears. Ford gears and cases our so close you probably will not need to change the shimming from what was original. Make a installation bearing for the inner pinion bearing. Once this goes on its very difficult to impossible to remove without damage. An installation bearing will allow you to more easily change the depth shim on the pinion. To make installation bearings use a die grinder with a stone and enlarge the center till it just slide on the pinion. Once desired pattern is set replace the installation bearing with a new one. Buy a second crush sleeve or two to have on hand, this insures you will not over tighten the preload. Also if the preload is overtightened you already have a crush sleeve on hand. A dial inch pound torque wrench is the best for pinion preload. A 3/4 breaker bar 2' long will almost hold when parallel to the floor when correct preload is applied.
If the bearings look good on the carrier I do not replace them. This is a situation that can do more harm then good.
Use US made timken bearings, most good install kits come with timkens.