I did my own re-gear: the saga continues

[Rob5589]

Just curious - do you still do regears, or are those days behind you? (Not asking for me, just in general).

I did my own or course. I am going to do @tomtaylz LJ sometime in the not too distant future. I have actually thought about it but being that it would be out of my garage makes it a bit tough. If I ended up doing some I would likely ask that just the diffs be brought in. Two reasons; one is room pure and simple; second is if there are any glitches, and they do happen, I wouldn't have someones torn down Jeep stuck in my garage.

 

[JMT]

I did my own or course. I am going to do @tomtaylz LJ sometime in the not too distant future. I have actually thought about it but being that it would be out of my garage makes it a bit tough. If I ended up doing some I would likely ask that just the diffs be brought in. Two reasons; one is room pure and simple; second is if there are any glitches, and they do happen, I wouldn't have someones torn down Jeep stuck in my garage.

I wish I lived in CA. I can’t get my guy in TX to come over and get this done. Ring and pinion gears are not my wife’s favorite bedroom decor.

Out of curiosity, assuming all goes well, about how long does it take you too regear both axles?

 

[glwood]

This thread, and others about issues after re-gearing, have kept me on the fence about taking the plunge. Not that I would ever attempt it myself, but even so I am reluctant. I want the added performance, and the cost is no issue, but I don't seem to want to mess up what is working now. I've discussed this with @MutantNinjaTJ, who spoke with a local shop owner, and was impressed with his knowledge and shop setup. I probably just need to run over there and hear him out.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Out of curiosity, assuming all goes well, about how long does it take you too regear both axles?

A practiced R&P expert usual takes 2.5 hours or so for the rear and somewhere around 3 hours for the front. Less than a day for both if everything goes well.

 

[Rob5589]

I wish I lived in CA. I can’t get my guy in TX to come over and get this done. Ring and pinion gears are not my wife’s favorite bedroom decor.

Out of curiosity, assuming all goes well, about how long does it take you too regear both axles?

It took me about 6 hrs total on my TJ. It had been a loooong time since I had done one plus I don't have all the tools like the shop had.

The worst part was doing it on the ground. One thing is certain, I ain't 24 any longer

 

[Boinked]

The worst part was doing it on the ground. One thing is certain, I ain't 24 any longer

Preach on Brother. That cold hard ground is not your friend.

 

[psrivats]

This thread, and others about issues after re-gearing, have kept me on the fence about taking the plunge. Not that I would ever attempt it myself, but even so I am reluctant. I want the added performance, and the cost is no issue, but I don't seem to want to mess up what is working now. I've discussed this with @MutantNinjaTJ, who spoke with a local shop owner, and was impressed with his knowledge and shop setup. I probably just need to run over there and hear him out.

@glwood I'll tell you this much. Driving my 4.88 geared Rubicon was truly a revelation. By far the best mod on my Jeep, even with the vibration. The acceleration was much, much, much smoother and better than the 4.10 with my 32" tires. I really saw how much the engine was bogging down before, and I now see the real potential of the 4.0 engine. I have no doubt that this was the right thing to do. Dave is working on diagnosing my issue and I'm confident he'll fix the problem. I'm hoping to have him come and explain in my build threadt as to what he found and what he did to fix it after I get my Jeep back. You should definitely go talk to your local shop.

 

[AndyG]

By all means get it done.

In no way do I want to discourage anyone.

And there are people on here that are more than capable of doing their own... But that is the exception and not the rule.

If anyone has apprehension about doing it themselves because of their lack of experience... That may be their intuition trying to help them.

 

[Serbonze]

Andy, your post has become my motto. If I'm not comfortable doing it myself, or it could lead to the Jeep being down and stuck in my garage for an extended period of time (I only have very limited time on the weekends) then I'm going to pay a subject matter expert to do it.

I'm past the point of needing to make myself feel good about doing something myself. I bought the Jeep to drive it, that's what I want to do with it.

Kudos to you sir.

 

[AndyG]

Andy, your post has become my motto. If I'm not comfortable doing it myself, or it could lead to the Jeep being down and stuck in my garage for an extended period of time (I only have very limited time on the weekends) then I'm going to pay a subject matter expert to do it.

I'm passed the point of needing to make myself feel good about doing something myself. I bought the Jeep to drive it, that's what I want to do with it.

Kudos to you sir.

I feel exactly the same way and that is probably what makes me the most upset at myself.... I knew the right people and had all the means to hire it done... But no I just felt like I had to do it myself.... I think that my reasoning behind all of this was so that I could brag to my wife about saving $500 and try to keep her oblivious to the other 25 or 26 thousand that I put into this thing.

Incidentally.... I can promise anyone out there that once it all gets sorted out I did not save any money whatsoever.... And my Jeep ended up in the shop more times and longer than it would have if I just had cut the umbilical cord and got it done.

 

[Rob5589]

Something people do not realize is the vast number of gear sets available and how they all set up differently. If you are going from a factory Dana gear to another Dana gear, maybe that depth number they imprint will be close, maybe. Not that we ever used it. Add to the fact that there is no way every housing can be cut the exact same.

But any aftermarket gear will be an entirely new set up. The look of the patterns will vary, how tight or loose to run bl can vary, etc. Without seeing and setting up the various brands, it can be very difficult for the novice to get it done.

And if you do give it a go and run into issues, it can be extremely difficult to help diagnose over the internet. There was/is a guy on the other forum having issues. Myself and another member were trying to help but he just kept getting all sorts of weird looking set ups. Neither of us could figure out where he was going wrong. He was working on it for weeks, still have no idea if he ever got it done.

Differentials are one of those things that seem so easy but aren't.

 

[AndyG]

Something people do not realize is the vast number of gear sets available and how they all set up differently. If you are going from a factory Dana gear to another Dana gear, maybe that depth number they imprint will be close, maybe. Not that we ever used it. Add to the fact that there is no way every housing can be cut the exact same.

But any aftermarket gear will be an entirely new set up. The look of the patterns will vary, how tight or loose to run bl can vary, etc. Without seeing and setting up the various brands, it can be very difficult for the novice to get it done.

And if you do give it a go and run into issues, it can be extremely difficult to help diagnose over the internet. There was/is a guy on the other forum having issues. Myself and another member were trying to help but he just kept getting all sorts of weird looking set ups. Neither of us could figure out where he was going wrong. He was working on it for weeks, still have no idea if he ever got it done.

Differentials are one of those things that seem so easy but aren't.

Exactly!!!

Man if they were easy everybody would be running the proper gear ratio.

One thing that really intimidated me when I got into it with the realization that I could be doing something seriously wrong and not know it.

Not knowing what I was looking for was very humbling. I knew I was in over my head , but once it was on jackstands ...I was committed.

The shop fixed the front leak , and topped off the fluid and drove it ...I'm headed to get it now .

He said the noise was due to the low fluid level.

Hopefully it's ok.
.what concerned me was the front leak was in front of the pinion seal , it gave me the impression it was coming from the cover. I hope they caught that. I did mention it prior to bringing it in an e mail.

 

[Rob5589]

Let us know how it goes. Hopefully everything is squared away.

 

[AndyG]

I sure will. Is there any downside to hitting the diffs with brake wash so I can see if any new leaks develop?

Thank you Rob , appreciate your professional input on here . Always enjoy your posts.

 

[Rob5589]

I sure will. Is there any downside to hitting the diffs with brake wash so I can see if any new leaks develop?

Thank you Rob , appreciate your professional input on here . Always enjoy your posts.

Nope. Will be fine. Always here to help.

 

[AndyG]

Picked up the jeep , has new pinion seals front and back .

I hear a little hear type noise on decel at 25 mph and lower, and a little under load at 50-60.

At this point I can't even remember what it sounded like before the regear, so I don't even trust my judgement.

I'm pretty sure it's a little noisier than it was before my fluid leaked , particularly the noise at low speed decel, but it's tolerable . That new decel noise bothers me , because I suspect the low fluid may have created that . I also admittedly have a little "noise paranoia" going on I believe.

The diff's aren't getting hot , so I'm going to let it ride for now , and drive another manual 5 speed the next chance I get and try to get a baseline.

If it is a lot louder, I'll probably consider the newer Revolution gears and let the shop handle the job .

Here is a real question , and I ask this because I also occasionally deal with clients who don't know when to draw the line on how good things should be in my line of work- is it realistic to assume a regear should be as quiet as stock ?

Also , I think I'm likely hearing some normal manual transmission noise,

Right now , unless someone was listening for these noises , they would likely go unnoticed.

Also , I think the Ranchos are going to quieten down that whining noise I hear from the passenger seat .
.

 

[Rob5589]

Yes, the gears should be quiet as factory. Occasionally you'll get a set that you just cannot make 100% quiet. Not a bad thing, just a thing. Sometimes even factory gears make noise. At this point I'd say you are hypersensitive to any noise it may make. Just drive it and stop worrying.

 

[AndyG]

10-4.

 

[glwood]

@glwood I'll tell you this much. Driving my 4.88 geared Rubicon was truly a revelation. By far the best mod on my Jeep, even with the vibration. The acceleration was much, much, much smoother and better than the 4.10 with my 32" tires. I really saw how much the engine was bogging down before, and I now see the real potential of the 4.0 engine. I have no doubt that this was the right thing to do. Dave is working on diagnoe firssing my issue and I'm confident he'll fix the problem. I'm hoping to have him come and explain in my build threadt as to what he found and what he did to fix it after I get my Jeep back. You should definitely go talk to your local shop.

By all means get it done..

Made first contact today with the shop, and am planning a visit to talk things over. There's hope...

 

[psrivats]

Made first contact today with the shop, and am planning a visit to talk things over. There's hope...

Keep us posted!