I had hell getting it out. I had to disconnect the steering rods from the knuckles to make enough room for the top of the diff to clear. Now I'm inside it. I got to that lock tab that everyone says to replace. I don't have a new one and I can't even figure out how it comes out. Can anyone explain how that thing is designed to go in and come out? Explain it to me and I'll snap some picks when I get it out so we will have a record of it on here for the next guy who does it.

I'm putting some 4.30's. I got the back done. I love the ratio!

 

under the lock tab will be a nut with holes in it(this is the adjuster) screw it in and then take a brass punch or something that wont break it- and tap out the whole works (towards the diff) the whole nut and assembly will slide right out.

then you can install the new lock tab. and once the tab is in place you just tap the adjuster nut assembly back in.


a picture is worth athousand words.

 

You mean you can tap the adjuster out along with the part it screws into without actually screwing it out? I thought about that but didn't want to damage the threads or the case.

 

yes, the part that the adjuster screws into is actually splined into the case.

if you give it acouple of smacks it will fall right out.

 

Thanks, Man. You saved the day. I'll get those pics up this afternoon.

 

Watch those stupid *** tabs. Ive had them come loose on 2 different occasions and eat up 2 whole R&P and bearing sets. The diff is now sitting in the garage until I feel like throwing more money at it.

 

I have to reuse them. I'll get them tight. I'm also going to put some thread locker on the adjusters for the final setup.

 

So, pics tomorrow. Anyway, I got it together and checked my pattern. I think the pinion's a little deep so I'll adjust it tomorrow.

Is there any reason I can't get the backlash set with as much preload as I can get with a hammer and punch then take the case apart and turn tighten the adjusters evenly then put the case back together making the preload with the case bolts?

Also, I read somewhere that I could measure backlash at the pinion yoke. Is that true? Is .010 ok from where the u joint bolt holes are?

 

You ever get those pics?