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Pinion bearing question. (Probably a stupid one )

shady

shady

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I have play in my pinion bearings in a 14bff. Enough to cause a lot of heat in short distances.... I'm buying a re-gear bearing kit but wasn't planning on doing carrier bearings just yet.

If I rebuild just the pinion, and use the same shims, do you think it'll change my gear mesh pattern much?

This will be the first time I've ever done anything but change the lube in a differential.

I HAVE been reading up on and watching videos of, changing and setting gears in this axle. So I'm not totally in the dark with it.
 
From what I have read, this will probably get you "in the ballpark" but will still require fine tuning the pattern. Also there is a chance that the gears will not set up at all if they have been damaged from the bad pinion bearing.

Is there some reason NOT to change the carrier bearings? No side shims on a 14bolt, so its only like 3 more steps to change them now while you have everything apart anyway. Remove axles, remove carrier, change bearings, reinstall. You will already be playing with the side adjusters to get your backlash set.
 
Really,,, no. I get the feeling that there isn't a locker in it. And was just going to wait until i got one to do the carrier bearings. But the more I've thought about it I figured I might as well. Won't make any difference if I do pull it to install a locker later.
As long as I have the right carrier for a Detroit anyway. I just basically wanted to get it up and driveable faster without resetting the pattern. Probably better do that anyway since I'll be in there I guess lol........

Like I said, probably a stupid question to start with.
 
mechted said:
From what I have read, this will probably get you "in the ballpark" but will still require fine tuning the pattern. Also there is a chance that the gears will not set up at all if they have been damaged from the bad pinion bearing.

Is there some reason NOT to change the carrier bearings? No side shims on a 14bolt, so its only like 3 more steps to change them now while you have everything apart anyway. Remove axles, remove carrier, change bearings, reinstall. You will already be playing with the side adjusters to get your backlash set.
Click to expand...

This. The 10.5" carrier is really easy to remove and adjust. You don't even need to remove the wheels or mess with outer seals/bearings, the shafts just slide out through the hubs.

And when it comes time to do the Detroit, you'll just pull the carrier and then reset the backlash, the pinion adjustment won't change.
 
Main part I'm worried about is my kit doesn't come with new (more) shims.... All I have are what's in it. Kinda why I was wondering if it would change much. Since I'm keeping the same gears. I figured adjusting the carrier side to side for backlash was going to be done anyway, just wasn't sure about pinion depth...... I guess I should have went into that detail in the OP lol...
 
only need shims for depth on 14ff . most of the time re-bearing job is fine with old shim .

and do your self a favor get the solid pinion bearing sleave kit and go away from the crush sleave . little longer to setup but much better for service later on .
 
Did pinion bearings on my 14 bolt back in may. Patterns were pretty much identical before and after the bearing swap I found.

I figure the diff was run for a while with worn bearings as the pattern had a funky coast side and has a nice low growl upon deaceleration.
 
If you replace the pinion bearings without changing anything you will be fine.

I've done this multiple times in multiple axles. Never had to change the pinion depth
 
That's what I was hoping... Now I have to try and figure out what Ujoints I have so I can do them at the same time lol. This thing is a Frankenstein so there's no telling what's in there.
 
So if I change the pinion bearings using the same shims, depth should be ok.....

Then I could adjust the carrier over a touch to take up any excess backlash if needed right..?

I'm pretty sure I'm just going to do the carrier's too and be done with it. Unless it's a govbomb. Then I'll leave them till I get a real carrier lol
 
shady said:
So if I change the pinion bearings using the same shims, depth should be ok.....

Then I could adjust the carrier over a touch to take up any excess backlash if needed right..?

I'm pretty sure I'm just going to do the carrier's too and be done with it. Unless it's a govbomb. Then I'll leave them till I get a real carrier lol
Click to expand...

If it is a Gov-bomb, I'd be willing to take it off your hands...
 
I had heard that, but was under the assumption that you had to know how to run it to make it last. I have very little experience with them and a heavy foot lol. If it's one of them by chance I'll adjust backlash but leave bearings, because ultimately I want a Detroit. This is a 90 percent trail rig with the only road driving being occasionally to work for fun, and whatever pavement I need to hit to get to the next trail.
 
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