Ring, pinion, and carrier swap

[Squatch]

@Squatch loves his bare hands... so I've heard

You're mistaken, App. I definitely prefer a spreader.
Did I mention I'm on my fourth marriage?

 

[Tytanium94]

Get a good tutorial, learn how to read the machinists numbers and set em up. Get a book or paper with specs. I learned from a guy that kinda knew how, then refined my skills. Havent blown up a set yet. Currently doing my brothers tj. Probrably my 30 something set. Very rewarding skill set imo.

It’s always satisfying when project doesn’t blown up
I’m hoping I can put the skill to use in the future for others as well, as many have said, pay it forward

 

[Tytanium94]

I had a case spreader on my shopping list when we were buying tools. I didn't buy one initially because of the price tag. I even considered plans for making my own if it came down to it. I really thought we'd end up needing one and was surprised in the end when we didn't. As mentioned previously, we worked on 3 different styles of lockers but never installed an ARB. I wonder if those are inherently different in some way?

If you're working on an axle that's been removed from the Jeep then you can get gravity to help you out by pointing the pinion straight down. I found that moving the axle to a set of jack stands on the shop floor was the way to go when installing/ removing the carrier a dozen times. If you're installing the gears in a axle that's still hung under the vehicle then I can see the added benefit for having a case spreader on hand. In this instance, gravity is not your friend.

Yeah definitely will be working on at least the first set outside of the vehicle…I know it’ll take me a good second to get the hang of making adjustments haha

 

[Tytanium94]

Having spent the early part of my life using wood blocks and sledge hammers to get properly preloaded carriers into place (final stack + 0.015" per Dana requirements), I decided when I bought my e-lockers years ago that I wanted to do it "by the book".

I got my spreader off eBay - similar to this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2539677991...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

It works fantastic and makes setting carriers in place remarkably easier and as @NashvilleTJ pointed out, it's pivotal for proper ARB installation.

A photo of the one I actually bought (but eBay tells me he is no longer an active seller)...
View attachment 270372

That’s a lot cheaper than I expected honestly!