Proper Break-In Procedure for New Gears
#1
06-05-2009, 01:02 PM
500 miles, NO Towing. The gears need to be heated and cooled repeatedly to seat and harden properly.
Rule of thumb here is:
First 200 miles, no more than 20 mins of continuous driving, followed by at least 20 mins of a cooling period. Vary your speed/rpms. No more than 45 mph.
Next 200 miles, no more than 40 mins of continuous driving, followed by at least 20 mins of a cooling period. Vary speeds. No more than 60 mph.
Next 100 miles, no more than an hour continuous, vary speeds, not to exceed 70 mph.
At 500 miles, change the fluid, as there will be small sand size filings present from break-in. Inspect the differential. There should be NO large filings present and the fluid should not appear "burnt". This change is important, not only to remove the small filings and visual inspection, but new gear sets ship with a phosphorus coating, that burns off during break-in. This coating should not be left in the gear lube for an extended period as it has shown to prematurely break down the viscosity and lubrication properties of the lubricant over time.
Contrary to what you may have heard, or what a shop may tell you, there should not be even a hint of a whine from properly installed aftermarket gears.
If all checks out well, replace the fluid and the pumpkin cover and then DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT...
Rule of thumb here is:
First 200 miles, no more than 20 mins of continuous driving, followed by at least 20 mins of a cooling period. Vary your speed/rpms. No more than 45 mph.
Next 200 miles, no more than 40 mins of continuous driving, followed by at least 20 mins of a cooling period. Vary speeds. No more than 60 mph.
Next 100 miles, no more than an hour continuous, vary speeds, not to exceed 70 mph.
At 500 miles, change the fluid, as there will be small sand size filings present from break-in. Inspect the differential. There should be NO large filings present and the fluid should not appear "burnt". This change is important, not only to remove the small filings and visual inspection, but new gear sets ship with a phosphorus coating, that burns off during break-in. This coating should not be left in the gear lube for an extended period as it has shown to prematurely break down the viscosity and lubrication properties of the lubricant over time.
Contrary to what you may have heard, or what a shop may tell you, there should not be even a hint of a whine from properly installed aftermarket gears.
If all checks out well, replace the fluid and the pumpkin cover and then DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT...