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Labor Day Putting down your wrenches or time for MORE wrenching? 
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 357 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 357 | Need some help. This is what it says in the Tech Tip:
Step 8 — To check the backlash, mount a dial indicator on the carrier and check the backlash between the ring gear and the pinion. It should be between .005” to .008”. If the backlash is more than .008”, loosen the right adjusting nut one notch and tighten left adjusting nut one notch. If less than .005”, loosen the left adjusting nut one notch and tighten the right one one notch.
While I have the cover off the Pinion to replace the seal. Can't I just measure the free play in the pinion shaft.
Or how is the above step 8 accomplished. In terns a beginner would understand.
Julian Carter
1970 Triumph GT6 1967 Triumph TR4A 1952 Chevy 3600 1948 MG-TC
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,740 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,740 | The pinion shaft is the one the universal joint flange is attached to. You need to measure the movement of the ring gear, not the pinion. Use a magnetic base dial indicator or one with a C-clamp mounting attached to a long bolt screwed into one of the cover attaching bolt holes and position the stem of the dial indicator as close to 90 degrees from the movement of the ring gear as possible. Measure the amount of slack there is while rocking the ring gear forward and back. Unless the slack is WAY out of specification, don't mess with any adjustments. You are almost guaranteed to create a gear whine by changing the wear pattern the gears have established over decades of operation. I'd consider anything under .025" or so of backlash to be in the "DON'T MESS WITH IT" category. More than that- - - - -go shopping for another third member- - - -it's worn out! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 357 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 357 | Thanks Jerry I believe I can do it now. I found a large amount of free play just turning the pinion. Now I'll measure the play in the Ring gear.
Julian Carter
1970 Triumph GT6 1967 Triumph TR4A 1952 Chevy 3600 1948 MG-TC
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2017 Posts: 214 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2017 Posts: 214 | I'm curious what you find. Sometimes play can be deceiving and isn't as bad as you think once measured.
1953 Canadian GMC 9314 w/ (factory) Chevy 235
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,740 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,740 | Be sure to hold the pinion flange some way to keep it from turning and giving you a false reading on the ring gear movement. Apparent slack can add up from several places- - - -axle and spider gears, splines, and cross pin clearance, even if the ring/pinion backlash is correct, or only slightly excessive. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 357 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 357 | Thanks Jerry, I found my backlash to be very good. .006 Once the pinion and ring gear started to make a clicking sound. Everything became easier.
Julian Carter
1970 Triumph GT6 1967 Triumph TR4A 1952 Chevy 3600 1948 MG-TC
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