ring and pinion dilema

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Sep 9, 2010 | 06:03 PM

Danilo

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goat hugger

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From: Fontana

ring and pinion dilema

continuing on with my labor of love - 86 f250. it's got a 10.25 limited slip. i am swapping the whole axle on my truck. i was tearing it down to inspect and clean the one i am installing when i noticed that the bearing on the pinion gear was spinning on the pinion shaft and i was able to pull it off by hand

. my old pinion gear is still serviceable and the bearing is set and serviceable.

my main concern now is setting the pinion depth without the specialy tool kit which cost around $1,400.00

. what do you guys recommend?

thanks.

Sep 9, 2010 | 06:36 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

I haven't torn down a 10.25, but if it uses shims, just use the same number that was used before. I work with a guy that used to work at a Dana rearend factory, and he said they had a automated machine that checked the rearend casting after it was machined, and told them the number of shims to install. He said 99% of the time the same number of shims were used. Only once in awhile was a different shim number needed. That shows you how close the castings were machined at the factory.

Sep 9, 2010 | 06:44 PM

Danilo

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goat hugger

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From: Fontana

i thought of that and what worries me is that the original pinion has no shim under the bearing. where can i purchase shims? the one shim in questions shows the scraping of the bearing on it and i want to replace it.

thanks for the reply!

Sep 9, 2010 | 07:00 PM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

I would try Napa. They may be able to measure the shim you have and determine the thickness, and get you another one. I know they carry a lot of Spicer parts, but not sure about the Ford Sterling parts.

Sep 9, 2010 | 07:51 PM

Danilo

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goat hugger

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From: Fontana

ok will do! thanks franklin2!

Sep 9, 2010 | 08:09 PM

Stangrcr1

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From: Marysville, WA

First, is this the inner or outer pinion bearing? The outer bearing, towards the u-joint yoke, will spin on the pinion. It is not pressed on, but is a close machine fit. The inner bearing, toward the teeth, is pressed on with shims under it.

If the inner race of the inner pinion bearing was/is spinning on the pinion, the bearing and/or pinion are no good. One of them has worn allowing the race to spin on the pinion.

The whole question here is how long you want it to last and are you putting big power to it.

If it is a daily driver with stock power, then it will probably last for quite a while.

But put power to it and the slop of the bearing on the pinion will allow it to move and wear the ring gear the wrong way, causing lots of sparkly metal flakes in the gear oil, which then tear the hell out of the gears and bearings.

Sep 10, 2010 | 12:41 AM

Danilo

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goat hugger

Joined: Apr 2010

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From: Fontana

it is the inner bearing. the truck is stock as far as power but it is a heavy duty model. it has a 460 the truck is rated at over 8,800lbs and it is a 4x4. i plan to use it for some heavy hauling once in a while.