What Parts Do I Need?

[CJNewbie]

I am in the process of acquiring all the parts to do a Ring & Pinion swap. I know I will have to change out both carriers so those are on the list as well as the R&P but other than the cover gasket what parts do I need to change or should I change while the parts are out. I have never done this before so any suggestions will help. Also which gears do you all recomend, I am looking at the Yukon gears but would like to know about others out there.

Thanks

Chris

[Goatman]

You'll need various sized shims, ring gear bolts, new pinion nut, marking compound, new carrier bearings, new pinion bearings, new pinion seal. This stuff comes in most master rebuild kits, so when you order the gears also get the kit. Do you have someone helping you that has done this before? You'll need a magnetic mount dial gauge to check the backlash and an inch lbs torque wrench to check the pinion pre-load, and a pinion depth gauge is very helpful, and a set of dummy bearings to use while getting all the shims correct.

[CJNewbie]

I have seen the master kits and some of them vary drastically both in price and what is in the kit. I do not have anyone capable of teaching me yet so I am still undecided as to wether I will have a shop do the work or not. I would really like to find a compatent person and pay them to teach me the process and steps. I want to learn how it is done mostly so i will be able to recognize a problem during my general maintenece of the diffs. Thanks for the info Goatman I will just get the master kits. Is there one brand that seems to stand out above the rest for the bearings or seals like Temken?

[Goatman]

Remember to factor in the cost of the tools you'll need, and the bearings you'll ruin, to the total cost. Remember, I can order those parts for you, and Infectious gets a rebate of 3% at the end of the year for all parts and labor from G&G.

There is no benefit in knowing how to set up gears to do maintenance later on. You either break a gear set, which is very easy to diagnose, or a bearing goes out which will make noise, again very easy to diagnose. The only reason to set up your own gears is to save money. If you've never done it before, and don't have the tools, then the cost of getting the tools must be factored in, and the potential cost of bad parts down the road from not doing it correctly must be factored in. A pinion depth gauge and the tool to remove bearings without destroying them cost more than the labor to set up the gears.

We've seen plenty of poor gear set ups in rear ends we've taken apart, some from doing them at home, and some from other shops who were supposed to know what they were doing. Not saying it can't be done correctly at home, plenty of people do it and do it well, but it's a learned skill.

[CJNewbie]

Well then sounds like you guys will be doing my gears for me then. I will come by the shop sometime after the holiday and start looking at parts.

[Crazy Sammy]

The easiest way to do it is buy the gears, a master install kit and have someone to put them in and have them setup!

[Loki XJ]

Is there a price difference if the axle comes driven in or if I take the whole axle out and bring it down? I was told its cheaper if the a was out.

[Goatman]

It can be cheaper, depends on the situation. If the axle is being built, that's one thing, but it wouldn't be worth the trouble to pull the axle out.