I did a change and put in a limited slip. I got a good contact patch on the drive side, but I struggled to get anything to show on coast side. I decided to button everything up and see what I get. Drive side is completely quiet. Coast side whines over 20 mph.

Installed is: new diff, new ring gear, new bearings and caps. new axle bearings, new axle seals. Didn't touch the pinion.

 

Aren't ring and pinion supposed to be matched to each other? I have always replaced them together......

 

Yep, I think this is a bad advice issue from a local mechanic. I was going to have him do it, then he ghosted me when I was trying to schedule. Before that, he asked why I'm changing the pinion if it isn't bad. He knew I put a new ring on.

I have it partially apart now. I had to order beefier snap ring pliers for the diff housing snap ring on that Eaton.

 

UPDATE: Just finished changing out and putting in the new pinion. Old one was on its way out too, so good timing. Old one fell right out as soon as pinion nut was out. Crush sleeve even came off by hand.

Did a 15 mile test run and ops check good so far. Going to inspect in about 2k miles, then again 7k post install.