Broken pinion - thoughts
 

So, my center support bearing went bad and I babied it home. I have a new one pressed on and it's making a "clump clump" noise.

After diagnosing it, I pull the diff cover off and find this:


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.per...0ae2a26d65.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.per...2ebe629c1a.jpg

So yea, the crush sleeve is crooked as well.

Thoughts on what caused it to break? Was it me babying it home the cause?

When I put it back together, I'm taking this opportunity to put in 4.56s and a solid spacer instead of the crush sleeve.

If I can pull a transmission and put it back a few times I should be able to do this. I've got the paint to check the bite with and I have the carrier spacers and caps separated so I can put it back the same way.

Thanks

Got the new ring gear mounted on the TruTrac and torqued.

Now the pinion bearing......

I watched an interesting YouTube video on doing this. Here it goes:

1. Put the new pinion in your wife's freezer for a few hours.

2. Heat your wife's oven to 475 degrees and put your new pinion in for an hour.

3. Take the pinion out of the freezer and put a little gear oil on it where the bearing sits.

4. Take the bearing out of the oven and put it on the pinion.

5. If by chance the bearing doesn't slide all the way down, get a medium sized BFH and a block of wood and tap it a few times.

6. Drink a beer.

You forgot the word "bearing" in step 2 ;)

I would say the crush collar is of poor quality and or was not properly seated all of the way during the initial set up. I use two 5' bars when I do a crush collar set up. A solid spacer crush collar takes a few extra steps in set up but when properly done is just as good.

For back yard mechanic install you want to put the ring gear on a hot plate for install. Pinion Gear gear does not require either heating or freezing btw.

I got an acceptable bite pattern on the 2nd try.

When the solid spacer tightens up, you feel it. I definitely prefer it over the crush sleeve.

For drag simulation, I used my ebrake. ;)

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.per...99cc45b3d2.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.per...8b39a2cea2.jpg

I would get that pinion a little deeper, at least 3-4mm IMO.

^^^that.

Thanks guys.

I didn't see your responses until now.

I went with what I had. It's back together and I've driven it around a little. There is no hint of noise coming from the gears.

While it may not be perfect, this is literally my first time doing this. I'd call it a win in my book.

Ring gear deflects away from the pinion under load, that pattern is gonna be way on the outside edge when that happens. Good chance for broken teeth.