Gear Backlash ? w/ pics

[RAY]

I installed a detroit and was checking the gear pattern before closing it up and it looks like I need to increase the backlash. Is this correct? Also, will this have a negative affect on the gears since they have been broken in with the gear pattern shown?

Thanks for the help,
Ray

 

[readymix]

Running a pattern is a good way to check for pinion depth, but is not as easy to read the BL from it.

You should have measured teh BL before yoou removed the carrier.
Did you?
What is it at now?

 

[RAY]

I marked the bearing caps and adjusters before taking it apart and put it back to where all the marks lined up. I didn't measure the BL though.

 

[6.2Blazer]

I think you have the terminology mixed up.......you can't determine backlash by running a pattern check.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Pinion depth sets your gear mesh, backlash is the amount of free play between the ring and pinion gear.

 

[mr.smartass]

And there is one hell of a glare on those pics.

 

[sweetk30]

backlass is checked with a dial indicator if i recall correctly.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

If you can get a video of you rocking the ring gear back and forth (just enough to make the gears contact each other, you'll hear a click) I can probably tell you if its way off or not.

 

[RAY]

I guess what I am trying to ask is; shouldn't the mark where the pinion gear tooth touches the ring gear tooth be more towards the center of the "tooth" rather than near the top as in the pics? If so, do I need to adjust them or can I run it like it is.

Thanks,
Ray

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

The pattern doesn't look terrible, if you think you kept track of the spinners on each side of the carrier then run it.

 

[sweetk30]

unless you added or removed shims from the pinion housing that bolts in to the axle housing the pinion depth wont change. the only thing you are realy doing is seting backlass with the collors and also pre load on bearings.

so if it was working fine before dont mess with it. set the backlass and seal it up.