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Long story short, been a member since 2018. Joined up, read a ton of stickies, never really had a question, upgraded the truck and then life happened and I had to get rid of it. Now I’m back in a NBS (99 ECSB) and This is the first gear change I’ve ever done in my 44yrs.
I’ve read the stickies and I guess I’m just second guessing myself on the pattern.
To me, it looks like I need to add a little pinion shim but I just get into my own head and start questioning everything. Let me know what you think please.
I think you're correct on adding more pinion shim but you're not getting a good visible contact pattern in the paint. I hold a folded shop rag on the outer part of the ring gear as I turn the pinion. This creates drag and you'll get a better reading.
Used the method above and got a better pattern in the paint. Need to add some pinion shim and it should be good. Pattern is fairly centered on both sides but not deep enough.
Just now getting back to this due to RL activities. I cannot get the proper pinion bearing preload. The max I can get is 10 in/lbs. I have broken a 1/2” cheater bar and even a 3/4” impact will not get it any tighter. I marked the pinion nut and pinion with a sharpie…hit the impact and then checked for movement.
Any suggestions other than what I’ve already tried?
I use the solid pinion crush eliminator in place of the crush sleeve. It takes a bit of trial & error to get the pinion preload... but once you achieve preload you can remove the pinion yoke to replace the seal (if needed) without changing preload like a crush sleeve would.
It's necessary to have an outer setup pinion bearing due to the multiple shim changes. You don't want to have to pound out the pinion every time during preload shim test fits.
Just now getting back to this due to RL activities. I cannot get the proper pinion bearing preload. The max I can get is 10 in/lbs. I have broken a 1/2” cheater bar and even a 3/4” impact will not get it any tighter. I marked the pinion nut and pinion with a sharpie…hit the impact and then checked for movement.
Any suggestions other than what I’ve already tried?
You added the gear oil to the bearings, correct?
I use the solid pinion crush eliminator in place of the crush sleeve. It takes a bit of trial & error to get the pinion preload... but once you achieve preload you can remove the pinion yoke to replace the seal (if needed) without changing preload like a crush sleeve would.
It's necessary to have an outer setup pinion bearing due to the multiple shim changes. You don't want to have to pound out the pinion every time during preload shim test fits.
09-13-2022, 11:17 PM
Gear pattern opinion
