Ok fellaz, Are there any tips, tricks, do's/dont's or short cuts to establish pinion depth on a new aftermarket pinion gear install? I have the factory service manual for my 99 Dakota and I understand the instructions completely. However, they want you to use their special tools for the R+R. So, throw me a bone here.

Your thoughts, opinions, suggestions, flames, bashings and insults are encouraged and welcomed. Thanks in advance.

 

It never hurts to have the proper tools... I have them all with the execption of the pinon depth tool... ( going to have to fix that ) I would recommend you get an expert to do this for you, If you insist on doing it yourself at least go pick up a dial indicator and stand as you can do most all of it with that alone. I have found that if I used the shim that sits behind the existing pinion gear and reuse it, that has always worked for me. I did however carefully check the mesh pattern with bluing to make sure it was going to work. Another good read on rear end work is Peterson's Big Book of Auto Repair.
Remember any short cut is a throw of the dice, if you are not willing to do it a second time don't do it..... A lot of times the proper tools are just as cheap as having to do it a second time.
there is a company PMS... Precision Measuring Systems ( I think ) that sell those tools but as usual I can never find them easily on a search... seems like the pinion depth gauge was $120 or so.. A dial indicator can be around $30 for one that will do the job and the stand for about the same.. $50 and up for each will get much better equipment..

good luck!
TJ

 

You can do the whole job with just a dial indicator. I never use a pinion depth tool I always go by the marking compound pattern on the teeth. I have seen quite many that were done with the depth tool and the patter is not right. Start with the stock pinion shim ,gears are precision you are actually shimming the case to the gears. Get the pattern and the backlash right and your good to go. Also I check all the teeth on th ring gear for backlash not just a couple spots.

 

Thanks for the tips fellaz.