With a little time and a common bench grinder, you can modify your existing cross shaft to work with a thick ring gear. Be careful to cool the metal often so that it does not become soft.A cross-pin with a notch in the center can be rotated so that the notch allows the axle to be pushed toward the center of the differential. This allows just enough axle movement to install the c-clips one at a...
When changing the gear ratio for more power or more speed, sometimes a new ratio requires a different height carrier case. Carrier height changes are commonly referred to as a “carrier break”, although this doesn’t have anything to do with broken parts. What it does refer to is the difference in the ring gear mounting height on the carrier case itself or a breaking point from one height to...
We get a lot of questions asking how much it should cost to have a rearend setup. Unfortunately, the answer is never simple, due to all the variables involved. The hourly rate a shop charges can vary from as little as $60 to over $200 per hour. Labor charges may depend on location, competence, warranty, overhead, and the individual shop or mechanic’s desire to work on differentials. Access to...
If you’ve been left hanging with a “mystery” differential noise that still refuses to make itself clearly understood, then hopefully this month’s info will lend some more insight. Anyone who has been involved with four-wheel-drive vehicles has probably heard of or experienced positraction (posi) “chatter”. Posi chatter is noise that is very recognizable and happens when there is too much...
Many things can go wrong inside a differential. Although the hints are often subtle, most impending failures give fair warning in the form of noise. Several situations can create ring-and-pinion noise. If the gears have been quiet and begin to howl, they are probably worn or wearing. If the gears howl during deceleration only, it’s possible that the pinion-bearing preload has loosened....
Changing gear ratio or tire size can lead to an out-of-calibration speedometer that leaves you guessing how fast you are really going. Calibrating a speedometer is usually not as hard as people make it out to be. In many cases all you need is an accurate standard of speed or distance, the right equations, and some basic math.There are actually two ways to calibrate a mechanical speedometer....
Have you ever had to call around town on a Friday to find pinion shims or a crush sleeve so you could be on the trail for the weekend? Working on a rear end is hard enough with the right parts, and can be downright impossible with the wrong parts. A good installation kit can make the job a lot easier and save hours of frustration. Every distributor claims to have the best installation kits...
As discussed in detail last month, there are many situations where a different height carrier case is needed when making a gear ratio change. Included here is a list of carrier breaks for most popular rearends. Many of these have thick or thin ring & pinion sets available to eliminate the need for changing carriers. Rearends with those options available for some ratios are indicated in the...
Standard Carriers, Positraction & Limited Slips, Locking Differentials, Spools and Mini-Spools As an opening note, for all situations except factory OEM electric lockers, a standard open carrier can be replaced with a limited slip or locker. Likewise, a locker or limited slip can be replaced with a standard open carrier. Limited slips and lockers can be interchanged. And of course, a...
Over the years I have heard a lot of myths regarding the setup and design of differentials. Anyone with a little experience can fix a diff. I have heard time and time again that the following situations make a person a qualified differential expert: 1. They are an old-timer, a grizzled guy with stained overalls. 2. They are a machinist. 3. They are in a four-wheel drive club. 4....
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