What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Who here has put the diff gears on their own

bot0611

bot0611

1/2 ton status
Joined
Oct 22, 2006
Posts
1,215
Reaction score
0
Location
Chula Vista, Ca
Do yo ureally need all thoose gadgets??

I got a set of 4.11 gears and im pretty much stuck on wich shims to use.

Any hints
 
The only tools you really need are a dial indicator on a magnetic base and a dial or beam type in-lb torque wrench. There is no effective way to select the shim stacks without them.

Dial indicators are cheap at Harbor Freight, and I borrowed an in-lb torque wrench.
 
best thing I ever did was to have a set of bearings honed to slip on and off the carrier and pinion.. makes setup a breeze...

if you plan on working on axles for a while it is worth the investment...
 
You don't need "all those gadgets", but you do need the correct tools. Like stated above, dial indicator and torque wrenches. You can take the carrier & pinion somewhere to use a press. This site makes it a lot easier!
 
Yeah depending on the rear you need a press, an old bar type in pounds torque wrench to get the crush coller correct, torque wrench, and dial indicator.

Thats not to say that people with alot of experience cant do it by feel and by painting the gears.

Hell if you've ever worked in a dealership half of them say to reuse the old shims and then just set the backlash from there.
 
Stomis said:
Yeah depending on the rear you need a press, an old bar type in pounds torque wrench to get the crush coller correct, torque wrench, and dial indicator.

Thats not to say that people with alot of experience cant do it by feel and by painting the gears.

Hell if you've ever worked in a dealership half of them say to reuse the old shims and then just set the backlash from there.
Click to expand...

If you have changed gears thats a scary thought. But I have also seen a lot of rear end fail 1 year after installation from a dealer as well. So no big surprise.

wasted wages said:
best thing I ever did was to have a set of bearings honed to slip on and off the carrier and pinion.. makes setup a breeze...

if you plan on working on axles for a while it is worth the investment...
Click to expand...
Unless you have a dana you shouldn't need to slip the carrier bearing on and off. Those I installed with a rubber mallet.

I ground out the old pinion bearings so they slip on and off. I figure I'll remove .002 of shim afterwards to account for the worn bearings. Not an ideal situation but hopefully it works (otherwise I will buy a press).I haven't had to used a press yet. I did need to buy a race installer $30 from harbor frieght. Also bought a magnetic base with dial indicator for $30. I'm hoping I can get by without the need for a press.
 
Last edited:
instead of buying the specialty tools needed to do a gear swap you can rent them from local parts houses (autozone/checker/oreilly) for a deposit. Then when your done you get your deposit back no money lost. just a suggestion.
 
nsxxtreme said:
If you have changed gears thats a scary thought. But I have also seen a lot of rear end fail 1 year after installation from a dealer as well. So no big surprise.


Unless you have a dana you shouldn't need to slip the carrier bearing on and off. Those I installed with a rubber mallet.

I ground out the old pinion bearings so they slip on and off. I figure I'll remove .002 of shim afterwards to account for the worn bearings. Not an ideal situation but hopefully it works (otherwise I will buy a press).I haven't used a press yet. I did need to buy a race installer $30 from harbor frieght. Also bought a magnetic base with dial indicator for $30. I'm hoping I can get by without the need for a press.
Click to expand...

Correction: Use the original shims as a STARTING POINT and adjust from there.
 
combatmatt said:
instead of buying the specialty tools needed to do a gear swap you can rent them from local parts houses (autozone/checker/oreilly) for a deposit. Then when your done you get your deposit back no money lost. just a suggestion.
Click to expand...

I haven't seen any tools that could be used for replacing ring and pinion at any of those stores, I did look.

A press is the only thing I would consider a big ticket item. $89 from harbor frieght. Hoping to get by without one.
 
Good stuff! Im doing mine this weekend. 4:56's going into GM 10 bolts. Any suggestions on brand of gear oil?
 
Stomis said:
The kind that transforms the rear into a 14bolt :D:D:D:D
Click to expand...

Yes I agree. I popped my 10 bolt with very few miles on it. I had 35" tires and 4.56 gears. I towed a boat which I'm sure contributed to an early failure. But the truck maybe saw 2000 miles per year and it died in its first year. I only used it to tow the boat and dirt bikes. I have other cars as daily drivers.

If your gonna invest in new gears, bearings, ect might as well pick up a 14 bolt. I purchased a 14 bolt SF axle for $109 from my local wrecker. The way I see it it cost me $109 more then fixing my 10 bolt and hopefully I wont have anymore broken ring gears.
 
K5 Jess said:
Good stuff! Im doing mine this weekend. 4:56's going into GM 10 bolts. Any suggestions on brand of gear oil?
Click to expand...
You need to change the oil after the break in period. So I intend to use cheapo stuff for break in then drain and install some synthetic gear oil royal purple.
 
Stomis said:
The kind that transforms the rear into a 14bolt :D:D:D:D
Click to expand...
lol, I think Ill be fine. Its gonna be a daily driver running stock horsepower. When I do go off road its to our local spots and Im not doing anything crazy, just some small hills, loose dirt and sand. I do plan on another Blazer after this one and it will get bigger axles but small stuff for now.

You need to change the oil after the break in period. So I intend to use cheapo stuff for break in then drain and install some synthetic gear oil royal purple.
Click to expand...
Cool! how long is the break in period? I was gonna runn royal purple from the start.
 
:haha: you guys are killin me! stop talking about my lil axles!!!! :D

is there a good guide or how to manuel or video out there? My buddy and I are pretty mechanically inclined but niether of us have changed gears in a axle before.
 
Break in period should be 500ish miles, without beating on it, no towing, vary your speed and dont go 55ish. Pull the covers, inspect gears, clean with brake cleaner and put some new gear oil.

Since my rig sees not much street time, they got broke in on the trail. I just took it easy the first few outtings
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom