Differential break in period?
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 217
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Differential break in period?
I'm having 4.56 gears installed in the front and rear tomorrow. I'm also installing a limited slip in the rear. I've done some searches, but have come up with mixed review.
What is the proper method to break the gears in? One site said to do 20 figure eights, another said to drive for 20 minutes and then let it cool down. One site said to change the fluid after 500 miles, and another said 3,000 miles.
I am running synthetic fluids if that changes anything.
The day after the gears are installed my brother plans to take the boat (3500lbs) out 1/4 mile down the road. Is it such a bad idea to use the truck to pull the boat? I really want to feel the difference pulling the boat, since this is the main reason I'm changing the gears.
What is the proper method to break the gears in? One site said to do 20 figure eights, another said to drive for 20 minutes and then let it cool down. One site said to change the fluid after 500 miles, and another said 3,000 miles.
I am running synthetic fluids if that changes anything.
The day after the gears are installed my brother plans to take the boat (3500lbs) out 1/4 mile down the road. Is it such a bad idea to use the truck to pull the boat? I really want to feel the difference pulling the boat, since this is the main reason I'm changing the gears.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,343
Likes: 4,368
From: SW VA
From what I have read, drive very easy for the first 500 miles. Take off easy from stops, and slowly accellerate. Drive at highway speeds for some miles, then stop somewhere and let them cool off. Change the oil after the first 500 miles, and check for chunks of metal. (A small ammount of shavings (like grains of sand) are OK, as the gears are wearing into each other). I would even pull the pan and see what they look like...but that's probably a little overkill.
I'd change the oil again after 5K miles and call it good!
I'd change the oil again after 5K miles and call it good!
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,343
Likes: 4,368
From: SW VA
Well...I did some searching and came up with these:
http://reiderracing.com/rtech_break.htm
http://www.usgear.com/ring__pinion_installation.htm
http://www.richmondgear.com/01instructions.html
http://reiderracing.com/rtech_break.htm
http://www.usgear.com/ring__pinion_installation.htm
http://www.richmondgear.com/01instructions.html
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 642
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From: Olathe, KS
Several have a good write up on breakin. I leave it on the jack stands and run it in unloaded if possible. The heat created is suprising. Don't test it with a load without the breakin.
Quote from Randy's ring & pinion.
http://www.ringpinion.com/FAQ.aspx#37
All new gear sets require a break-in period to prevent damage from overheating. After driving the first 15 or 20 miles it is best to let the differential cool before proceeding. I recommend at least 500 miles before towing. I also recommend towing for very short distances (less than 15 miles) and letting the differential cool before continuing during the first 45 towing miles. This may seem unnecessary but I have seen many differentials damaged from being loaded before the gear set was broken in.
I also recommend changing the gear oil after the first 500 miles. This will remove any metal particles or phosphorus coating that has come from the new gear set.
Quote from Randy's ring & pinion.
http://www.ringpinion.com/FAQ.aspx#37
All new gear sets require a break-in period to prevent damage from overheating. After driving the first 15 or 20 miles it is best to let the differential cool before proceeding. I recommend at least 500 miles before towing. I also recommend towing for very short distances (less than 15 miles) and letting the differential cool before continuing during the first 45 towing miles. This may seem unnecessary but I have seen many differentials damaged from being loaded before the gear set was broken in.
I also recommend changing the gear oil after the first 500 miles. This will remove any metal particles or phosphorus coating that has come from the new gear set.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 642
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From: Olathe, KS
Heat is the enemy, so as long as the heat is kept away you could be alright. But why risk it by stressing right away? Your whole point of pulling it is test it out. be patient, put some breakin miles on and then break in with the trailer. Break it in worng and it will always be wrong.
another quote:
When I installed my gear set it was quiet, but it's getting loud with time. What happened?
It is most likely a result of the gear not being broken in properly or driven "too hard, too soon." When this happens, the gear oil breaks down and the resulting temperature inside the differential causes the face of the gear to wear away exposing the softer metal underneath. When this happens the gear will wear down more and more until the gear completely fails.
another quote:
When I installed my gear set it was quiet, but it's getting loud with time. What happened?
It is most likely a result of the gear not being broken in properly or driven "too hard, too soon." When this happens, the gear oil breaks down and the resulting temperature inside the differential causes the face of the gear to wear away exposing the softer metal underneath. When this happens the gear will wear down more and more until the gear completely fails.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Detroit Area USA
So is it safe to assume that when I buy my new truck from the dealership with the new gears and limited slip and 3 miles on it that there should be a breakin process like this for the truck? I have never been asked to do this with my new trucks so how are the OEM's getting away from this?
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: city of angels
you drive em - warm em up. (about 15-20 min of drivin')
let em cool down.
repeat for about 100 miles.
check the fluid for shavings.
change it.
(thats also a great time to upgrade your diff cover)
drj
let em cool down.
repeat for about 100 miles.
check the fluid for shavings.
change it.
(thats also a great time to upgrade your diff cover)
drj
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,343
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From: SW VA
Originally Posted by acm05fsu
What kind of difference will a new diff cover make? or is it only for looks?
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: city of angels
Originally Posted by ATC Crazy
Most covers allow for the use of up to 2 or 3 more quarts of oil, thus, keeping the gears much cooler (and cleaner in a way). Also, they will most likely be stronger. If you are ever offroad, and back into a rock that you didnt see, a stock cover could shatter leaving you stranded until you find a new cover.
MAG-hytec also makes a TRANS PAN too!!
drj
these are worth their weight in gold!
http://www.mag-hytec.com/products.htm
