DIY re-gear or let a shop do it?
- Thread starter fourmustangs
- Start date
Regearing is a very technically challenging and difficult job that not even the pros get right the first time. If you haven't done one before and don't have lots of time to figure it out with lots of study how to do it I wouldn't attempt it. Done imperfectly your new gears would be toast in very short order.
ErikOffroad
TJ Enthusiast
Ok so I’ve been a mechanic for about 10 years now, never had to do a ring and pinion b4. I mainly work on construction equipment and some small engine stuff. I worked at a John Deere construction equipment dealer and I worked at a dealership that sold Jacobsen mowers and ventracs too.
I had some experience from taking a manual transmission class at university of northwestern Ohio as well
Let me say it was a complete pain in the ass to do this work my self and it took me all weekend to get a good pattern on one axle. I had all the tools I needed and a lift.
I would just say pay the 1400 dollars.
I had some experience from taking a manual transmission class at university of northwestern Ohio as well
Let me say it was a complete pain in the ass to do this work my self and it took me all weekend to get a good pattern on one axle. I had all the tools I needed and a lift.
I would just say pay the 1400 dollars.
Do you have any experience setting up a differential? It's one area of the driveline where everything really does have to be perfect... Not to say you can't do it with the right tools (pullers, dial indicator, etc...) and the help of your service manual/YouTube/this site, there just isn't any ballparking any of it. If you're the kind of person that has a knack for this kind of stuff and enjoys it I say go for it. If you're just looking to save money I would advise that you save a little longer and just have someone else do it.
Me and a buddy did my 5.13 and ARB install a few weeks ago, the actual gear set up took the better part of a day. He is an experienced gear installer too.
If you have the down time, the tools, and the desire to learn then I say go for it. Its a tedious process which involves a lot of trial and error. Precision down to the thousandth of an inch, and resistance to in/lbs. I wouldnt say it is hard, but as I mentioned, it is very tedious. Having the axle out and on a table or the jeep on a lift will make things a lot easier.
Otherwise, sub it out to a shop who knows what it takes to install gears.
If you have the down time, the tools, and the desire to learn then I say go for it. Its a tedious process which involves a lot of trial and error. Precision down to the thousandth of an inch, and resistance to in/lbs. I wouldnt say it is hard, but as I mentioned, it is very tedious. Having the axle out and on a table or the jeep on a lift will make things a lot easier.
Otherwise, sub it out to a shop who knows what it takes to install gears.
I haven't done a diffs before. so far have only pulled out carrier to reset the plunger for the front locker.
I am a hobby mechanic. had been doing trike conversions and have done harley transmissions, etc.
I dont have a 2post lift so would be pain on the ground. I wouldnt mind learning. been reading alot. alot of "youtube" really does show some of the back and forth people do to truly get it right.
I am a hobby mechanic. had been doing trike conversions and have done harley transmissions, etc.
I dont have a 2post lift so would be pain on the ground. I wouldnt mind learning. been reading alot. alot of "youtube" really does show some of the back and forth people do to truly get it right.
My daily job is all about accuracy. measurement down to the millionths and also torque calibrations.
ErikOffroad
TJ Enthusiast
tool wise this is what I needed, I also have a piece of pipe somewhere that was a specific size for pressing on the pinion bearing. Also I need a extra set of carrier bearings to make set up bearings . And a hydraulic press.
ErikOffroad
TJ Enthusiast
Also off the top of my head. Torque wrench. 1/2 inch. 36mm socket. Breaker bars with pipe u can slip over one end. 12 point half inch socket. I know I used my 3/4 socket set because some of the sockets where the correct diameter to press on some bearings, and I used the breaker bar out of it on the pinion nut
ErikOffroad
TJ Enthusiast
If u do go for it do the front axle first. If u find out u are not capable of doing the job you can hammer out the u joints from the axle shaft and install the outer axle shaft into the wheel bearing. put the bearing back in slap on the brakes and u can drive it to a shop.
I drove like this home one day because I found out I had to order a thinner oil slinger.
I drove like this home one day because I found out I had to order a thinner oil slinger.
Ive never used a puller. A closed wrench on one of the ring gear bolts and walk it out by turning the pinion. Getting it back in can be a bit difficult as you need to be careful to not damage the shims as well as get a good preload on it too
ErikOffroad
TJ Enthusiast
I needed the puller to get the oil slinger off the old pinion which in the end I didn’t use it
But if he’s using the original carrier he’s gonna have to pull the old bearings off it
But if he’s using the original carrier he’s gonna have to pull the old bearings off it
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I bought a clamshell puller from Ebay. Shipped direct from India but worked great.
yes re-using the stock rubi lockers
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=273163054581
looks to be the cheapest for the puller.
anyone used one of those cheap pinion depth tools?
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...u7ONv9wZgxbaJgteUdQFbfWhStW3LmVcaAgx4EALw_wcB
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=273163054581
looks to be the cheapest for the puller.
anyone used one of those cheap pinion depth tools?
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...u7ONv9wZgxbaJgteUdQFbfWhStW3LmVcaAgx4EALw_wcB
ErikOffroad
TJ Enthusiast
Dana will write a number on the pinion. I know the Dana 30 depth number is 3.625. What ever Dana writes on the pinion is how many thousandths they went away from
That number. When u get a new ring set it will have a number on it telling the pinion depth they want. Set it to that and look at the pattern. If it’s not correct it will not line up like in this picture. U have to at that point change depth .005 at a time and recheck till it looks right all while keeping backlash around .008-.010
watch this video it will help
That number. When u get a new ring set it will have a number on it telling the pinion depth they want. Set it to that and look at the pattern. If it’s not correct it will not line up like in this picture. U have to at that point change depth .005 at a time and recheck till it looks right all while keeping backlash around .008-.010
watch this video it will help
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A person has to realize their own limitations. From ever bit of research I performed on re-gearing I would not have attempted this. I paid a well known area Jeep shop with plenty of experience and it was money well spent. They stand behind their work and honor the gear manufacturer's warranty.
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