Rebuilding a diff.

[mattmac2011]

So how many of you out there have rebuilt a diff???
Mine is an open diff from a hilux and I am going off all that is in the repair manual that I have. What is most Important that I'm trying to find out is how important is it to check the preload. 16 inch pound. No not the back lash. If you have rebuilt one I would appreciate the help as I need to get the ute going ASAP

Cheers Matt

[tweak'e]

http://www.gearinstalls.com/index1.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TheBigBoy]

You've answered your own question. Preload, backlash, gear pattern.

[mattmac2011]

You've answered your own question. Preload, backlash, gear pattern.

???????
I am talking about the pre load on the pinion ( sorry i was not clearer on that ). I am waiting for a speciofic tool to come to me but i really need to get going again. ( i miss the slow pace of my ute )

[TheBigBoy]

So what is your question exactly? How important is preload??? They are all as important as each other.

[mattmac2011]

So what is your question exactly? How important is preload??? They are all as important as each other.

If i could get away with not checking the pre load on the pinion, just tension it up and then check the back lash on the carrier. Or am i asking for trouble

[TheBigBoy]

What's the diff doing? Why is it in need of rebuild?

[mattmac2011]

What's the diff doing? Why is it in need of rebuild?

Well it started out as just putting an auto locker in but when I got under it the pinion seal was leaking so I decided new bearings.

[Shadow]

What's the diff doing? Why is it in need of rebuild?

Well it started out as just putting an auto locker in but when I got under it the pinion seal was leaking so I decided new bearings.

then you need to follow the Factory Service Manual completely to set the preload

its pretty important!

[TheBigBoy]

So did you buy a rebuilt kit? Carrier and pinion bearings, pinion seal, crushable pinion spacer etc?

It's not really too hard. But there is alot you need to know. You should have checked the original backlash/preload before disassembling it. Also side gear backlash, run out, and gear pattern.

[brad 93hilux]

If you don't know what you are doing I'm sure someone off here will help you for a case of beer...
I have built them and as said they are important if you don't get it right it you could 1- fluke it
2- have a noisy hot diff 3- cause it to bind up/ break gears.

Better off doing it properly, if you want to do it yourself get someone to help or drop it off at a diff place.

Brad

[Z()LTAN]

IMHO, If you intend on beating on it double the carrier preload. Ive set mine to 200ft/lb on new bearings and never had a problem.

[tweak'e]

What's the diff doing? Why is it in need of rebuild?

Well it started out as just putting an auto locker in but when I got under it the pinion seal was leaking so I decided new bearings.

the link i posted earlier has plenty of examples of how to do it and has tons of pics and specs.

[ae86levin]

This is a pretty thorough video on diff rebuilding
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAqAqODm ... re=related

[CRUZAAMAD]

i got mine done by a supposedly pro.....
18mnths later and the spider gears were stuffed, are hardly meshing on each teeth, the marks said that, only half set up, bastards 1200bucks too

they no longer in business thankfully, and glad i didnt get my locker done by them.

make sure the teeth mesh deeply, as if my spider gears were done properly, id never have to replace the diff centre again..... assholes.

[TheBigBoy]

i got mine done by a supposedly pro.....
18mnths later and the spider gears were stuffed, are hardly meshing on each teeth, the marks said that, only half set up, bastards 1200bucks too

they no longer in business thankfully, and glad i didnt get my locker done by them.

make sure the teeth mesh deeply, as if my spider gears were done properly, id never have to replace the diff centre again..... assholes.

Same, had to take a diff back 4 times once. 4x4 shop my @ss... I spent almost 2k on proper tools to rebuild diffs myself for piece of mind. Just take your time and do it right.

[Z()LTAN]

2k on tooling? Dial indicator, inch pound torque wrench and some pattern paste? mmm $300 at best..

Ive always done mine by feel and pattern, its not rocket science..

[TheBigBoy]

Clamshell bearing puller (to remove bearings without damage), shop press, pinion flange breaker bar, carrier bearing pliers, new bearing race drivers, etc... Plus what you have mentioned. Alot of messing around with solid pinion, but 100% worth it.

[dogbreath_48]

Clamshell bearing puller (to remove bearings without damage), shop press, pinion flange breaker bar, carrier bearing pliers, new bearing race drivers, etc....

Z()LTAN just uses a hammer and 'feel' for all that.

In response to OP - pinion preload is VERY important for a road driven vehicle. A spring gauge + maths can be used in place of an inch pound torque meter.

[mattmac2011]

Well after all that i have had to take the diff to a specalist. It turns out that i had a solid bearing spacer ! Which has no washer between the pinion and large bearing but has shims between the spacer and the small bearing. The Kit that was sent to me does not provide any washers (spacers) to put in the area between the pinion and large bearing that is needed for the new bearing spacer that is crushable. And as that i do not have a lathe at my disposal i can not nake or adjust the this in any way. So over the dramas with this little episode all arising from thik
nmking it would be good to change out the bearing whilst i changed the leaking pinion seal.

[TheBigBoy]

You never stated where you where? I could have helped you out. There's an art to fit the solid spacer. The small bearing should never be spaced. The large bearing race how ever does, and then you run your solid pinion until preload and gear marking is achieved.

[brad 93hilux]

Well after all that i have had to take the diff to a specalist. It turns out that i had a solid bearing spacer ! Which has no washer between the pinion and large bearing but has shims between the spacer and the small bearing. The Kit that was sent to me does not provide any washers (spacers) to put in the area between the pinion and large bearing that is needed for the new bearing spacer that is crushable. And as that i do not have a lathe at my disposal i can not nake or adjust the this in any way. So over the dramas with this little episode all arising from thik
nmking it would be good to change out the bearing whilst i changed the leaking pinion seal.

Reading that I don't think you understand what all the bits are for.

You can either use a solid pinion spacer or collapsible spacer (collapsible is what they use factory)
The solid pinion spacer does come with shims which are only for the pinion bearing preload.
What you think by the washers that go between pinion head and large bearing only sets the pinion depth between crown wheel and pinion, this has nothing to do with pinion spacer.

The diff would have had a spacer behind the pinion head, all you needed to do was put in new pinion bearings, put the spacer in, set the preload on pinion bearings then really only set crownwheel backlash and preload. Nothing should have changed to much with the pattern between the gears.

As said you could have asked for help as I suggested and could have had someone explain this and show you for bugger all and still have same result as paying for it to be built.

Bit of info that might help

Brad

[MADSHORT]

hi where do you get solid spacers from cheap as i need 5
4 cruiser rears and 1 80 series front
cheers

[brad 93hilux]

http://www.locktup4x4.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Or http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; in the states possibly others in states but you'd have to search.. But these two I use

Brad