In preparing for doing some differential training I figured I would lay out some of the tools I use for working on diffs and cover them in no specific order.
Measuring:
You must have these tools if you want to be successful in setting up ring and pinions.
Dial Caliper (no digital crap for me get a dial caliper and learn to read it), Dial indicator on magnetic base, Dial type inch pound torque wrench and Foot Pound torque wrench.
Striking and prying. When it come to hitting things dead blow is the only way to go. Small and large ball peen, and a few size mallets work for me. The long shiny punch is actually a shaft from a shock absorber and the other is brass. That pry bar is the gear guy’s secret weapon. That is a die setters bar Ken Tool 7037 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JGH8H6W?tag=wranglerorg-20 and allows you to pull the toughest diffs out by leveraging from the pinion head and once you use one you never be without. Also good for other prying shit as well.
And then there is pushing and pulling stuff. If you do enough of this you will want to invest in these tools. Medium bearing knife, clamshell puller, Dana axle seal installer, differential specific race installer and a 20-30 ton press.
There are a few other tools I will add later as I use them. Yes some of these are expensive and hard to justify for the occasional use. I know that some clubs will invest in these and either have them for loan or hold wrench fests and will knock a couple rigs at a time out.
Measuring:
You must have these tools if you want to be successful in setting up ring and pinions.
Dial Caliper (no digital crap for me get a dial caliper and learn to read it), Dial indicator on magnetic base, Dial type inch pound torque wrench and Foot Pound torque wrench.
Striking and prying. When it come to hitting things dead blow is the only way to go. Small and large ball peen, and a few size mallets work for me. The long shiny punch is actually a shaft from a shock absorber and the other is brass. That pry bar is the gear guy’s secret weapon. That is a die setters bar Ken Tool 7037 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JGH8H6W?tag=wranglerorg-20 and allows you to pull the toughest diffs out by leveraging from the pinion head and once you use one you never be without. Also good for other prying shit as well.
And then there is pushing and pulling stuff. If you do enough of this you will want to invest in these tools. Medium bearing knife, clamshell puller, Dana axle seal installer, differential specific race installer and a 20-30 ton press.
There are a few other tools I will add later as I use them. Yes some of these are expensive and hard to justify for the occasional use. I know that some clubs will invest in these and either have them for loan or hold wrench fests and will knock a couple rigs at a time out.
Last edited: