Help reading my gear pattern please

olysan

olysan

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Joined
Feb 25, 2020
Messages
65
Location
Chesterfield, MO
Hi All,

I'm working on installing a new Ring and Pinion and Powertrax LSD carrier in my Dana 35 axle. I think I'm getting in the neighborhood and wanted to get some input from the gear experts. Pictures of my pattern below. Please give me suggestions to perfect it.

Updated pics -

IMG_1216.jpg


IMG_1215.jpg
 
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I'm no expert but since no one has chimed in I'll say it doesn't really look good... what is the backlash in those pictures? Did you apply a load before rotating in both directions? Almost seems too tight - like you need to increase backlash. Have you gone "past" the proper pinion depth or have you been slowly coming at it from either too deep / too shallow?

Here is a good video I found helpful when I did mine:

Combine that with a web search of different patterns and their adjustments and that should set you on the right direction.

Also, next time you take pics, be sure to include the paint "after" where you painted, because where the paint carries to the bare teeth often is more telling than the pattern where you painted.
 
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Thanks for the replies.
1. Just checked again and Backlash is .005, so I need to loosen it up a bit.
2. I was also thinking that the pinion is too deep.
I will remove some shim thickness from the pinion and reset my backlash and try again.
 
My Pinion was too deep by quite a bit. Backlash is close to max .008-.009. This is obviously much much better. Would you run it like this or keep working on it?
Drive Side:
IMG_1228.jpg



Coast Side:

IMG_1226.jpg
 
looks almost like it's favoring heal contact. do you have the shim combo to get it to .007ish.

wait for someone else to chime in b4 you move it.
 
someguysjeep said:
looks almost like it's favoring heal contact. do you have the shim combo to get it to .007ish.

wait for someone else to chime in b4 you move it.
Click to expand...
Drive side is favoring heel contact, but the contact is on almost 3/4 of the tooth. Intuitively seems like that would be a good thing, but I'm not sure. If I do need to adjust I may have to find another shim pack because I think I'm about out of options with this one.
 
How many thousandths did you move the pinion this last time? I think you need to add back a fuzz.

Heel-Toe Contact Pattern:
The contact pattern on the drive side (convex) of the tooth is mostly towards the heel.
The contact pattern on the coast side (concave) of the tooth is mostly towards the toe
Correction: Move the pinion gear closer to the ring gear.
 
It was farther out on the heel on the last pattern. I think the last change I added .006 but my notes are at home in the garage until this afternoon
 
Ok, I added .002 to the pinion shim stack, I also adjusted backlash to .08. I think she's ready to go. Thoughts?
I just edited the pictures. Added another .004 to the pinion shim stack. Pretty sure this is as good as it gets:

Drive Side
IMG_1232.jpg

Coast Side
IMG_1230.jpg
 
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are you keeping pressure on the ring gear as you turn it past your marking paste? looks better. but wait for the guys that know.
 
From what I can see on my phone, your drive side looks ok but your coast side looks shallow. Add just a drop or two of gear oil to your paint. Pry bars suck for adding pressure. Use a gloved hand instead. I use a cordless drill with a socket on it to turn the pinion while I apply pressure to the ring gear. Just be sure to use the palm of your hand so you fingers don't get hurt. Take the pictures just a tad bit closer too.
 
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