Anybody know how to rebuild differentials?

teggers
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teggers
Edited Date/Time 1/8/2012 7:03pm
I rebuilt mine 20k ago and obviously did not get the torque right and the crush spacer correct because it is making noise already.

Apparently, there is only one place in Orlando that I can find that rebuilds them. After reading several service manuals, I am thinking about having a go at it again. I see where I made mistakes.

My local shop wants my truck for 3 days and $425 labor + parts. I have the tools, space, cleaning stuff, time. Just never done one to exact specs before.

Any suggestions or tips besides the 3day/$425/parts route? I am actually OK paying for it to be done correctly, but it looks fun to learn this.

BTW - 1 used one in town. $325 - no warranty.
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FlickitFlat 2/26/2008 3:41pm
2/26/2008 3:41pm
I never rebuilt one before. I've always went with a used one. Check and see if Jasper makes a remaned one. It would carry a warranty. I have had pretty good luck with Jasper stuff.
whipmeister (MD) 2/26/2008 6:49pm
2/26/2008 6:49pm
Properly setting up a ring and pinion is one of the true 'black arts' of wrenching. It is best to find that guy that knows how to do it right and then never lose his number.
teggers
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teggers 2/26/2008 7:15pm
2/26/2008 7:15pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 6:15pm
I'm thinking doing a side business to do this type of repair. I have the tools and shop....just need the knowledge. There are very few shops that do this in town and "black arts" is definitely the way to describe the way people talk about it.

It is not that dificult from the shop manuals I've read, but it looks like it takes a definite "knack" for it. Experience though, I have learned, costs money.
whipmeister (MD) 2/26/2008 8:27pm
2/26/2008 8:27pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 6:15pm
When I was dabbling in drag racing, there was one guy, the guy, to do this in the whole town. One of those where if you were chatting with another racer about your new 9-inch 5.13s the conversation would go something like, "You got Jethro to do that?". "Oh, yeah. Jethro is the only way to go.", would be the reply. Anywhere in D/FW. Anybody but Jethro's would whine and howl like a pack of hungry tigers.

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pushpulldragitin 2/27/2008 8:58am
2/27/2008 8:58am
Have about 75 deisel trucks and rebuild everything in house. Saves ton of time and money(especially with diesel at 3.50 a gallon). Dont know your application, but a good dial indicator and shims to set backlash are a must in the eaton, rockwell rearend we rebuild. What are the specs on the backlash for you application and are you using the old crush sleeve or a new one. Our range for backlash is usually around .008 to .012. If you say it is already humming after 20k I would say their is too much backlash in your unit. Just a thought. Give me some more info on the amt. of shims you used, the thickness of those shims and the torque spec on the crush sleeve.
whipmeister (MD) 2/27/2008 9:54am
2/27/2008 9:54am Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 6:15pm
Well, good luck. Read and study and grab a few pumpkins to f-up so that you get it right. When you do get it right, let me know. I need some 3.50s put into a 9-inch carrier I have for my mustang and the same thing for my old '50 Chevy pickup.

http://smartflix.com/store/video/1356/D ... Rebuilding
http://www.ehow.com/how_2159877_set-up- ... ntial.html
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_li ... cklash.htm
teggers
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teggers 2/27/2008 12:00pm
2/27/2008 12:00pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 6:15pm
My rotation torque seems to be 17-19 In/Lbs. Any tighter (with new gears) is for racing and requires additional break-in.

My main problems are I don't know how to read the grease indicator on the teeth and I, well, have just never done it. Lack of experience there. It looks like I have to pull the diffy out anyway. I may yank it down and play before I give in and take it in. I am going down to the diffy shop (a different one) right now to get an "ear"stimate. They said they have to see/listen before a price.

I have the tools, so I may try. I have to figure out how to build a jig for one of the measurements.

Thanks for the replies gentlemen.
williamsmotowerx (MD) 2/27/2008 11:03pm
2/27/2008 11:03pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 6:16pm
i've never done it... but was going to when i was a kid. sounds like you're familiar with the "grease" reading.

put some grease on the ring and spin... watch where the grease tracks... i'm pretty sure it should be in the middle of the ring... then check your backlash.

did you try googling it?
whipmeister (MD) 2/28/2008 12:04am
2/28/2008 12:04am
In the old days, one of the manufacturers (Zoom? Hayes? CRS) sold a setup kit that came with all the pieces and parts to set one up. But the best part were the instructions which included illustrations of what the various contact patterns meant. Have no idea if they still offer that. My check jegs.com.
teggers
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teggers 3/11/2008 10:38am
3/11/2008 10:38am
Welp!

$587 for the rebuild. 1 week down time. New ring and pinion and pinion bearings and seals.

Not including oil or re-installation.
whipmeister (MD) 3/11/2008 6:56pm
3/11/2008 6:56pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 6:21pm
[quote="teggers":3o74sywm]Welp!

$587 for the rebuild. 1 week down time. New ring and pinion and pinion bearings and seals.

Not including oil or re-installation.[/quote:3o74sywm]

Wow. Good biz to get into. Sounds like someone needs some competition. Here's a video I ran across on Jeg's http://www.jegs.com/p/Richmond+Gear/748 ... 2/-1/10667

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