setting up a differential
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
setting up a differential
How to set up gears.
Specs for your particular axle.
You should find someone with lots of experience and pay him to do this for you. It's not something to learn on.
Specs for your particular axle.
You should find someone with lots of experience and pay him to do this for you. It's not something to learn on.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
From: Latrobe USA
setting up a differential
If you have your stuff together and are a good mechanic, don't be afraid to do it yourself, My personal opinion is that alot of shops get gears close but don't want to take the time to make it 100%. I know there are good shops out there but there are a better percentage of hack and wacks.
I set up my first set with the pattern info sheet and an old chiltons that covered gear patterns. if you use your head, common sense and logical means to set it up, you will end up saving a bunch of cash, and be able to say you did it.
I used old bearings, honed out to lip on and off easy to get the shim pack right then pressed the new bearings on. and a dial indicator to get the backlash right.
If you don't feel comfortable with it, by all means don't do it, but don't do it because you never did one before.
I set up my first set with the pattern info sheet and an old chiltons that covered gear patterns. if you use your head, common sense and logical means to set it up, you will end up saving a bunch of cash, and be able to say you did it.
I used old bearings, honed out to lip on and off easy to get the shim pack right then pressed the new bearings on. and a dial indicator to get the backlash right.
If you don't feel comfortable with it, by all means don't do it, but don't do it because you never did one before.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 3
From: Cleveland, WI USA
setting up a differential
I replaced my broken trac-lok carrier with an open carrier and a mini-spool on my 78 9". There was a tech article that I used that outlined the pre-load/backlash setting in detail.. It even had the mesh pattern diagram and how to read them.
I'll try to find the article.
I was brand new to Ford trucks and automotive work in general when I did mine. 2 years later, it's still going strong.
I'd say go for it yourself.
Kevin K.
I'll try to find the article.
I was brand new to Ford trucks and automotive work in general when I did mine. 2 years later, it's still going strong.
I'd say go for it yourself.
Kevin K.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 3
From: Cleveland, WI USA
setting up a differential
Found it. Look on this site under Tech Articles, 2000 articles. There's one called "04/22/2000 - Building A Ford 9 inch Rear End".
A few pages down it shows how to read the mesh pattern.
Kevin K.
A few pages down it shows how to read the mesh pattern.
Kevin K.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
From: Barrington USA
setting up a differential
I'm have my mechanic install mine, but he does a very good job and takes his time, my dad was one of his first custumers almost 15 years ago and now he has something like 5 mechanics working for him, he does charge a little more then alot of the mechanic around here but you'll know the job was done right the first time
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