It's nice to hear of a shop that takes pride in their work!! You have have found a good reputable shop for sure.

 

Got the truck back yesterday and took it for a spin. Whereas I still have noise from about 45-55MPH, it just feels better. The gear patterns are centered from face to flank on both drive and coasts sides and a little towards the toe end on coast but centered almost perfect on the drive. I don't think we're going to get any better than that, fellas. Also, the ring gear is dead on 0.000 variance. But here is a question.

According to the service manual and here http://www.drivetrain.com/parts_cata..._pinioins.html the backlash is supposed to be set to 0.005 to 0.008. Mechanic set it to 0.007. I've read a few installers that have set aftermarket gears to 0.010. That being a tad out of spec, didn't think that was a good idea. But has anyone else heard of ... oh, let's just say, setting backlash on 4.56 Motive gears in Chrysler 9.25 rear axle to 0.010 (0.008 - 0.012) because they're aftermarket and not OEM?

 

I reread my post and seems kind of mundane to reset backlash of gear pattern is good.

Also, could it very well be that since I had put them in initially - quite possibly they weren't set correctly, already wore a pattern after 60 miles and now the noise will be there regardless?

 

I don't think 60 miles would really wear them in. As for the backlash if I remember right mopar calls for one range and motive another, but I thought the motive range partially overlapped the mopar one. 0.007 is good b/c backlash usually opens up some as the gears break in.

 

you're right. Here's where the confusion lies, I found this link here. http://www.midwesttruck.com/r_p_instructions.html

But the instructions that came with my installation kit states 0.007 to 0.009. I'm right in there. When they open it up in a couple of weeks, I'll have the backlash remeasured and see where I'm at. Backlash opening up as gears wear where makes sense and seeming mechanic set it to 0.007, I'm thinking maybe he may have known where to set it with that anticipation.

ANybody bored of gear talk, yet? lol

 

LOL, yeah I know you're tired of dealing w/ it. I felt the same way when I went through it w/ my rear end and had a bad install. At this point the best any of us can do is give you our opinion and wish you luck.

 

And I appreciate it! It's nice to talk to people that have experienced the same hair pulling scenarios. I've been reading up and the install docs I got with my install kit were dated 1990. The gears were made 6/10. All the other docs i'm seeing keep saying 0.008 to 0.012. Got me thinking again. See if the shop will set it to 0.010 and see what happens. I don't think they are happy with it either so they'd be more than willing to try it.. Thats one thing we never tried was setting the backlash more . 0.007 is the furthest it's been, if motive gear says thats what they are designed to run at, it is probably worth a shot. I email motive. Lets see what they say. And as always, thanks for "listening!"

 

I'll tell y'all, I feel fortunate that the 4 Wheel Parts shop that did mine in '05 had a good installer. They were pricey (even after they price matched all the parts) but I've never had a hint of a whine.
The 4x4 shop I've found since then have done a perfect job on for the three guys I've sent there for gears, not a one of them ever heard a bit of whine and that shop charges $600 an axle for gears, install kit and labor.

To date, the gears (and LSD install) is the only mod on my truck I have not done myself and I believe when it comes time to do gears in my next truck, I'll pay to have it done again.

A man's got to know his limitations, LOL...

 

That's no fun! Lol. We'll get this.

 

You're lucky to have a shop like that. I would have gladly paid 600 all inclusive. But I really wanted to learn and try my hand in it. I think I'm close. The shop i'm taking the truck to let's me hang around and learn. but when I tackled the feat on my own (with buddy), I learned quite a lot. Still knowing what I need if I were to do it again and knowing how to read and manipulate gear patterns. Fun stuff!