Ring and pinion install tips for a newbie?

[Travis05Rubi]

it's expensive not knowing how to do things. Even more so if you're not willing to learn how i'ts done. With that said I have 5.38's coming along with chromo rear shafts to match the front. I plan on doing tbe work myself.

I'll do it in my garage by myself. It can take however long it takes to get it done and done right but are there any good tips and tricks I should know? I'll have an excuse for new tools so thats a plus but what about a case spreader? Worth it? Any tips and advice is appreciated in advance. I've read a couple good threads here already but any links to tools youve used would be awesome along woth your insight.

 

[KennethS]

The axles you are working on might make a difference in the tools needed.

 

[That'll Buff]

https://www.youtube.com/@TheBFHGarage

Watch as many videos from this channel as you can. You'll need a dial indicator with a magnetic base and a caliper/micrometer to measure the shims. I got the dial indicator from harbor freight and my caliper is a relatively cheap one from amazon.

 

[Travis05Rubi]

The axles you are working on might make a difference in the tools needed.

TJ rubicon Dana 44.

 

[Daryl]

it's expensive not knowing how to do things. Even more so if you're not willing to learn how i'ts done. With that said I have 5.38's coming along with chromo rear shafts to match the front. I plan on doing tbe work myself.

I'll do it in my garage by myself. It can take however long it takes to get it done and done right but are there any good tips and tricks I should know? I'll have an excuse for new tools so thats a plus but what about a case spreader? Worth it? Any tips and advice is appreciated in advance. I've read a couple good threads here already but any links to tools youve used would be awesome along woth your insight.

Head over to WFO and talk to those guys. They’re in your neighborhood.

 

[topfuel83]

I did this years ago with my 99. I ran the gears 100K after the regear without any issues. I took my time and didn't settle for good enough on the patterns. It was tedious but not hard if your paying attention. I kept a spreadsheet with every change I made and why so I had a record of what I did. I also used people on the old Jeep Forum and the owner of a local Jeep repair shop I knew very well to look at my patterns. Being able to read the patterns is key, and it takes experience to do so.

Tools:
I made a case spreader, and using a case spreader is the correct way to do this, even though guys manage without.
You will want a quality dial indicator with a magnetic base, a quality set of calipers (digital will be easier), a quality dial torque wrench in the correct range to set pinion preload and a quality 1/2" drive torque wrench in then correct range. Don't buy cheap on the measuring tools, it's not worth the risk of losing accuracy.
Buying or making set up bearings will make things a lot easier. You will also need access to a press for the bearings.
For resources I used the factory service manual, the book " Differentials" by Jim Allen, and instructions from Yukon gear (that's who I used for my gears). Along with advice from forum members and the repair shop. YouTube wasnt huge back then, so that is now also a good resource. However be cautious to make sure the advice you receive lines up with professional correct knowledge. Lots of people take shortcuts. Sometimes they get lucky, sometimes they don't. With gears you really only get one chance to set them up correctly. Otherwise your probably buying new parts to do it all over again.

 

[Travis05Rubi]

I did this years ago with my 99. I ran the gears 100K after the regear without any issues. I took my time and didn't settle for good enough on the patterns. It was tedious but not hard if your paying attention. I kept a spreadsheet with every change I made and why so I had a record of what I did. I also used people on the old Jeep Forum and the owner of a local Jeep repair shop I knew very well to look at my patterns. Being able to read the patterns is key, and it takes experience to do so.

Tools:
I made a case spreader, and using a case spreader is the correct way to do this, even though guys manage without.
You will want a quality dial indicator with a magnetic base, a quality set of calipers (digital will be easier), a quality dial torque wrench in the correct range to set pinion preload and a quality 1/2" drive torque wrench in then correct range. Don't buy cheap on the measuring tools, it's not worth the risk of losing accuracy.
Buying or making set up bearings will make things a lot easier. You will also need access to a press for the bearings.
For resources I used the factory service manual, the book " Differentials" by Jim Allen, and instructions from Yukon gear (that's who I used for my gears). Along with advice from forum members and the repair shop. YouTube wasnt huge back then, so that is now also a good resource. However be cautious to make sure the advice you receive lines up with professional correct knowledge. Lots of people take shortcuts. Sometimes they get lucky, sometimes they don't. With gears you really only get one chance to set them up correctly. Otherwise your probably buying new parts to do it all over again.

Good stuff and thank you for the solid advice on the case spreader.

 

[Travis05Rubi]

Head over to WFO and talk to those guys. They’re in your neighborhood.

They are excellent people. Trevor runs a top quality shop, hands down.

 

[Verndawg]

As someone who is in the middle of the same job, I would say make a checklist of each little step and make notes as you go along. As simple as something is to take apart, the putting it back is often the battle.

 

[Zorba]

Not quite the same job as you're doing - but I installed a locker and new bearings in my front D-30. Thank Goddess for BFH @hosejockey61 , and @macleanflood both, who patiently answered my dumb questions and BFH videos were FABULOUS. It took me about 3 months on and off again, buying new tools as I went along, blah, blah, blah.

My experiences may or may not be helpful, but here they are: https://www.doubleveil.net/jeep/sixty-one.htm - the saga goes on for several pages...

Go to https://www.doubleveil.net/jeep/sixty-three.htm to skip directly to the actual diff work.

 

[Travis05Rubi]

Not quite the same job as you're doing - but I installed a locker and new bearings in my front D-30. Thank Goddess for BFH @hosejockey61 , and @macleanflood both, who patiently answered my dumb questions and BFH videos were FABULOUS. It took me about 3 months on and off again, buying new tools as I went along, blah, blah, blah.

My experiences may or may not be helpful, but here they are: https://www.doubleveil.net/jeep/sixty-one.htm - the saga goes on for several pages...

Go to https://www.doubleveil.net/jeep/sixty-three.htm to skip directly to the actual diff work.

I'll follow up on those links thanks! I installed a lock-right in a YJ i had many moons ago. Did that job in late summer under a carport on the cement. Funny story here- an unexpected thunderstorm rolled through. I had kitty litter down where some gear oil spilled when I moved the catch pan. Trail of water rolled through it, and into my hair while I was laying down. I felt the water and didnt consider the litter. I moved out of the way and wrapped up whatever step I was on. Got up, brushed off, went inside.

If you have never picked and cleaned clumped oily kitty litter from your hair you just haven't lived yet.

 

[hosejockey61]

View: https://youtu.be/jq12J8okevM?si=mnSwG-skEM0KhxGF