Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Ok I'm new to the mech side of things. I've just replaced the centre in my Toy axled Sierra, but was told to make sure I get the back lash right. I know this has something to do with the side gears and the proximity of the R & P so as to mesh properly and avoid excessive wear. Can someone tell me how to measure it properly, what tool is required and how do I use it.

Thanx

use a dial indicator and magnetic stand, with the point of the indicator on one of the crown wheel teeth flat as possible have someone hold the pinion so it does not move , and move the crown wheel back and forth till it touches on the front than the rear of the teeth , make sure you set your dial indicator to '0' first and as you move the crown wheel the needle will move according to the amount of movement you have as it hits the pinion giving you a backlash setting , changing your backlash will also effect your pinion to crown wheel postion , check this by using bearing blue on about three groups of three teeth smeer the bearing blue on the teeth front and rear (very lightly smeer) and whilst holding a slight amount of load on the crown wheel (by hand ) turn the pinion first one full crown wheel revolution one way than back the other and this will show you where your tooth contact is , should be in the centre of the tooth , do not leave it with more contact on the outer edge of the tooth as when more load is applied the contact will move further to the outside . all in all its pretty straight forward , don't forget crown wheel bearing preload and pinion preload if you have changed the bearings .

buy a manuel if in doubt, but don't wimp out and take it to someone , the people you take it to also had a time in there life before doing one , we all gotta start somewhere , and if something ever happens to it in the feild you'll have an on how to bodge it up to get by etc

good luck

cheers Jai

Jai

Thanx for the help, I've managed to get hold of a dial indicator...

ello toj0 welcome to OuterLimits!