Rear End Backlash Adjustment

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Dec 6, 2004 | 01:53 PM

ParisDakar

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Freshman User

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 48

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From: Southeast PA

Rear End Backlash Adjustment

I believe I've finally located the source of my clunky drive line. It appears the ring gear has a lot more backlash than the .008 to .015 it should have. It's been this way since it was new, and hasn't gotten worse over time. My question is, after 93k miles, is it possible to now readjust the rear end properly or have the ring and pinion "worn in" to each other too much?

Dec 10, 2004 | 09:28 PM

NWBronco

Senior User

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 497

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From: Olympia USA

93k on the gears? How do they look. If in great shape, then they can be adjusted. You'll have to break them in again, just like new gears. If they look bad, replace 'em.

Bob K.

Dec 10, 2004 | 10:49 PM

Mojave2k

Senior User

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 107

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From: Southern California.. Nea

Don't mess with gears that have seated in, they will howl at the least. Be sure that your pinion and carrier bearings are good, and change the oil. If it is quiet going down the road I wouldn't mess with them, (If it ain't broke, don't fix it). If you want to tighten things up, then put in a new ring and pinion set, new bearings and if you plan to keep the truck a long time, a positraction carrier. The reason for the posi is that it preloads the gears and takes out the "play" that open carriers have.