2006 LJ Rubicon - First Jeep Build - Even An Idiot Can Do It

[Hackyman]

So, it seems I will need to create a lot of backlash.

I think i forgot to tighten the bearing caps all the way on the first setup. I have now moved over 0.030 from the passenger side to the driver's side, and when tightening the bearing caps backlash goes to 0 and its hard to even turn the pinion.

@hosejockey61 - is there a limit on how much shim i can have on a side? Going to have to drop down to a stack of thin shims on the drivers side as im now below 0.100" of shim on the driver's side and still 0 backlash.

 

[hosejockey61]

Do whatever it takes. I would start with most of the shims on the right side to ensure you have backlash and no bind.

 

[Hackyman]

Do whatever it takes. I would start with most of the shims on

Alright, so it seems to be something related to the carrier. The carrier is just binding, I went to move the pinion and there is a ton of backlash.

All seems good until I tighten down the lower ring gear side bearing cap, then there is a ton of binding and carrier won't rotate easily so feels like 0 backlash, but there is backlash at the pinion.

Bearings seem to spin fine?

 

[Hackyman]

So went back to the start after I noticed so much backlash if trying to rotate the pinion.

As soon as I tighten the passenger side bearing caps the carrier gets very tight. But there is backlash at the pinion, almost too much I would guess.

 

[Hackyman]

Alright so i removed all the carrier shims and the carrier is extremely tight once the bearing caps are tightened. Going to remove the pinion and see if the carrier alone is still tight and won't turn with no pinion and no carrier shims.

At a bit of a loss on whats happening. I confirmed the following.

1. Bearings and races are correct
2. Bearings are fully seated on carrier and dont appear crushed.
3. Bearing caps are on the correct side

The weirdest part is that I can rotate the pinion by hand and feel a lot of backlash, but it is very difficult to turn the ring gear by hand.

 

[Hackyman]

@hosejockey61

So I took out the pinion completely. As soon as I tighten the bearing caps, the carrier is extremely hard to rotate. Does this mean my housing is potentially bent?

Loosen the bearing caps and its spins and spins.

 

[Hackyman]

At this point I have decided one of the carrier bearings in the kit from revolution is bad. When only that side bearing caps is tightened, and the other is loose, there is a lot of noise from the bearing, and the race is getting pitted.

 

[hosejockey61]

At this point I have decided one of the carrier bearings in the kit from revolution is bad. When only that side bearing caps is tightened, and the other is loose, there is a lot of noise from the bearing, and the race is getting pitted.

View attachment 637174

Sorry, I've been out all day.

Verify the bearings and races are correct.

Make sure the carrier is seated all the way and not cockeyed.

It's virtually impossible to get too much pre-load when inserting without a case spreader. The marks on the race aren't normal. If the carrier is in a bind without the pinion being installed then something is wrong.

 

[Hackyman]

Sorry, I've been out all day.

Verify the bearings and races are correct.

Make sure the carrier is seated all the way and not cockeyed.

It's virtually impossible to get too much pre-load when inserting without a case spreader. The marks on the race aren't normal. If the carrier is in a bind without the pinion being installed then something is wrong.

Been battling it all day. Something is causing it to sit at and angle or out of square, just not sure what.

Could be?

1. Bad bearings?
2. Bent/not straight carrier?
3. Bent axle?

All is fine until i tighten those passenger side bearing caps bolts, then it locks up.

 

[hosejockey61]

Been battling it all day. Something is causing it to sit at and angle or out of square, just not sure what.

Could be?

1. Bad bearings?
2. Bent/not straight carrier?
3. Bent axle?

4. Wrong bearing or race that goes with said bearing. Seriously, verify it. I had a friend that was using the wrong bearing and didn't realize it.

 

[Hackyman]

4. Wrong bearing or race that goes with said bearing. Seriously, verify it. I had a friend that was using the wrong bearing and didn't realize it.

Bearing race is correct 25523. Can't check bearing as the number faces in, but looks correct. Installed these races on the old carrier and old bearings, and it spins free and fast.

Thinking the bearings are bad, or the carrier is bad. Hard to imagine the carrier is bad...

 

[hosejockey61]

Process of elimination. Bearings are cheaper.

Edit: wait a sec... Are you using stock carrier bearings for an Eaton locker? IIRC they use different than stock...

 

[Hackyman]

Any issues with buying the spicer bearing kit 706032X? I can get it at summit locally.

 

[hosejockey61]

Any issues with buying the spicer bearing kit 706032X? I can get it at summit locally.

I edited my post above. Take a look first

 

[Hackyman]

I think bearings are the same parts. Worked on the front axle...

I believe ARB uses different bearings.

 

[Hackyman]

Ok so I think I have figured it out. The tabs on the magnetic part of the locker have tabs to keep it from spinning. They are hitting the axle housing too soon, and causing it to not eat properly.

 

[hosejockey61]

Ok so I think I have figured it out. The tabs on the magnetic part of the locker have tabs to keep it from spinning. They are hitting the axle housing too soon, and causing it to not eat properly.

View attachment 637196

That's a somewhat common issue I forgot about. The tabs will need to be ground a little for clearance.

 

[Hackyman]

Well we figured it out. Ran a pattern.

Backlash - 0.007"
Drivers side shim - 0.125
Passenger side shim - 0.135.
Pinion shim - factory - nothing under race.

Looks a bit shallow?

 

[hosejockey61]

Glad you figured it out. Yeah, it's just a touch shallow. Leave the original shin where it's at and add 5 thou behind the race and let's see.

 

[Hackyman]

Glad you figured it out. Yeah, it's just a touch shallow. Leave the original shin where it's at and add 5 thou behind the race and let's see.

With the pitting or damage to the races I posted above, I was going to replace the races. Think I need to swap the bearings too?