Ring & Pinion Setup Tools Needed

[Desert_K5]

I want to start doing my own gear setups. For the guys that know how, what all is needed?

Backlash caliper / magnetic mount
Diff spreader?
Setup bearings?

I will start out with a 14 bolt FF and then Dana 60. ARB lockers in both.

 

[Bent77]

A Press

some bearings that have the insides opened up with a die grinder, so you can slip fit for set up

 

[Fastereddie]

 

[Bent77]

Maybe a dude named Faster to help?

 

[Desert_K5]

I lean on Ed quite a bit and appreciate everything he does, besides he'll be busy with my dumb ass questions on the 4-link for now. Figured I'd get some knowledge and tools setup so I'm not just the water boy when he stops by.

 

[Fastereddie]

 

[Desert_K5]

Yikes! Do you have that set?

 

[Fastereddie]

Yikes! Do you have that set?

I have a very similar set I got years ago. Back when I got mine it was just shy of 500 smackers!

 

[Desert_K5]

Yeah for the actual times I'll use it, I might steal yours. lol

 

[Desert_K5]

The USPS wussed out on my jack stands, gotta go pick them up.

 

[Wes Harden]

There is another clam shell set on Amazon it is less but not much.

An inch pound torque wrench, either a dial, or bender. Not click.
A good torque wrench in the 50 to 150 foot pound range.
Definitely need set up bearings to do Dana 60. 14bff no, these are easy.
Case spreaders are nice but can be done w/o. Do not spread more than .015".
Good dial indicator and base. Don't get the flexible arm base. The 2 bars with clamps is good.
Large sockets and some drive adapters. To use inch pound torque wrench with large sockets.
A pinion yoke holder, can be made easy.
A puller for yokes, dampener puller works most instances.
A good vise, some soft jaws.
12 ton or better press. The 12 HF will work I did 10 bolts on one, but it moves a lot.
Lots of stuff to use as press tools old races round tubing heavy plate to press on etc.

 

[Desert_K5]

Good stuff @Wes Harden , I appreciate the write up!

 

[Wes Harden]

Duh forgot Micrometer or good vernier calipers. Hard to measure shims w/o those.

 

[Big Ray]

when I did my first it was a 10 bolt and I pulled it completly out of the truck. I didn't want to wrestle it on the ground.

my boss had a cool stand he made for doing his axles. he's the one with the big ram charger mud truck. Here it is, it has a D44 front axle.
it did the entire run on 2 wheels!

 

[obijuank5]

This press kit is handier than a pocket on a shirt. Do not press bearings with the races on the rollers. Use a driver.




This air hammer attachment is awesome for driving on the outer pinion bearing so you're not using the pinion nut to suck the bearings together. It's been modified for aam 11.5 by a buddy but works on a 60 still.

Then just a good air hammer with a punch attachment to drive the pinion out.

 

[Desert_K5]

Thanks @obijuank5 !

 

[Wes Harden]

@obijuank5 will that Press kit do front axle seals like d44/60 and 10 bolt have? The get from inside the pumpkin ones?

Air hammer attachment is cool too

 

[rksjd8420]

View attachment 344605 This press kit is handier than a pocket on a shirt. Do not press bearings with the races on the rollers. Use a driver.

What kit is that? I like the way it looks.

 

[obijuank5]

Here is the press set part number. Lots of variants on amazon and ebay.

 

[Big Ray]

out of stock! damn