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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 46 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 46 | I am looking at installing the new 3.55 ring and pinion in my 46 1/2 ton for easier crusing. I see the master rebuild kit with bearings ect is as much as the new ring and pinion. Do you really need to replace all of those parts if the rear end is quiet and in good overall shape?
Any suggestions on where to go in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area to get this done?
Thanks! Phil | | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 775 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 775 | I did mine myself. It's not hard but can take lot's of time. You would want to replace the bearing on the pinion and I would do the torque tube "Oake?" bushing too. The rest can be done anytime. It takes an arbor press. Lots of put together and take out setting the shims. You need a dial indicator micrometer. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,418 ODSS Lawman | | ODSS Lawman Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,418 | Simply put, yes.
Now you could re use your 60+ old bearings only to tear the whole thing down later and do it again.
Do it right the first time and never think about it again.
SWEET Sergeant At Arms: Old Dominion Stovebolt Society BUNS?!?!?!Where we're going, we don't need no buns.....1950 GMC 450 1951 Chevy 1/2-TonThe GreenMachineIn the Stovebolt Gallery | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | I agree with SWEET. I thought my suburban's rear end was quiet but I chose to use the installation kit. I am glad I did - I noticed the noise-difference. People who own/drive/ridden-in old trucks have often said "oh, this must be what it was like driving in one of these trucks when it was new".
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,248 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,248 | Any cheaper to source the bearings out loose?? John | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | The installation kit is not just bearings, John. Here is a thread with a list of installation parts but part numbers for all parts in Patrick's installation kits are not listed. Supposedly, Jim Carter sells an installation kit that he puts together to sell with the 3.55 R&P set. No one has posted what is included in that kit, the brands of the parts, and the part numbers. | | |
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