I changed all the bearings in my rear end. 91 f150. As i was trying to put the carrier back in i dropped the shims and im not sure wich one goes to which side now. One is a little thicker than the other. So I was wondering if anyone knows if one side typically has the thicker shim or if it completely depends on the rear end. I tried putting the thicker shim on the driver side but it was hard to turn the pinion so i flopped them and it went easier. im not sure which way is the worse way to go. I dont have the tools to measure the backlash. The only slop i could feel by hand was from the splines on the pinion.

Also i may have got the caps mixed up that hold the carrier in. Do those really matter?

 

You need to have the rear end set up by a pro.

When you start mixing up shims and bearing caps you're rolling the dice. If you put it back together wrong (I'm guessing you don't have a torque wrench either) it will almost certainly self-destruct soon.

 

I think i have a pretty good idea how is goes back together. I hope. If not and it grenads.... Good reason to buy a bigger axle! I was just hoping somone knew if one side usually has a thicker shim or if completly depends that particular diff?

 

It varies from axle to axle.

 

Mark one differential bearing cap to make sure the caps will be installed in their original locations and positions with triangles pointing outboard.

CAUTION:
Right and left bearing caps MUST NOT be interchanged or rotated.

You must mark everything before you take the shims and caps off if you have no special tools.
All shims must go back to their original locations and positions
Also you can not replace the pinion bearings with out an inch pound torque wrench.

 

I think i have the caps in the right place cause I have the triangles pointing out. when I took it apart I laid everything on cardboard the way it came out but it didnt stay in order very well.