I was wondering if anyone has experience setting up a rear end?
I have a 8.25inch rear end and i was wondering if you could just adjust preload and backlash if you do not remove the pinion or do you need to adjust everything again?

Thanks
Nathyne

 

If you don't remove the pinion, then the depth won't change... just set carrier preload and backlash. Preload on the carrier bearings should be around 70 ft*lbs and backlash should be between .005" to .008".

BTW, what are you doing? Just to let you know, it can take a long time to set the rear end if you've never done it before. Also, makes sure you have all the tools you need! The carriers in these axles are not shimmed, there are threaded adjusters that require a huge hex head tool... the size of a torsion bar.

 

and doing it without the J tool is absolutley NOT possible...lol ive tried!

 

Yeah Its a pain in the *** it took me two days to do mine since I had a 2X4 I don't have torsion bars so I ended up making a tool out of 1/4" plate and a 1/2" drive socket. I did not remove my pinion gear so it does made setting up the backlash much easier.

 

I had an oops with a grinder grinding out my pinion because of a broken bolt that had some threads left on it. went a little far and sliced the differential housing lol.

I am going to attempt this tomorrow... we will see anyone know the paint you should use to check the how the gears are meshing?

 

Its not paint, its called gear marking compound.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RMG-5500011/