Differential Install

[Bob-Lob-Law]

Well, got the new diff and all associated parts.  I have gotten all the seals and bearing installed and just finished the differential install.  I used the instructions for Posi Conversion on gnttype.org to help me with the install.  I installed all the shim and the driver's side was pretty tight and I had to tap in the shim which was stated in the instructions. 

Now that I have everything in, I'm ready to do the marking compound test, but I have one question first:  How tight is the differential supposed to be?  It's a bit hard to turn.  One way is pretty easy, but the other way is pretty tight and I have to use both hands to get it turned.  Is this normal? 

[Forzfed]

Shouldn't be that tight.  Usually turns pretty freely.

[Bob-Lob-Law]

Yeah, thought so.  I'm going to take it apart tomorrow after work.  Thanks for the help.

[Pyro6]

Maybe you should do a tooth contact pattern before you rip it apart again, might help narrow the fault in case you don't see anything obvious.

[Steve Wood]

I am no expert but I always check the backlash first since that is easy

[Pyro6]

Agreed, but from what he's saying I would bet there is zero backlash.

[Steve Wood]

we think differently

It is easy to grab the ring gear and see if there is any free play....if there is not, then there is not sense in checking tooth contact...pull a shim out and get the backlash in spec, then do a tooth contact.

No backlash makes it hard to rotate.

[Bob-Lob-Law]

Gentlemen:  Thanks for all the input.  This is definitely a new thing for me as I have never done this and I was hoping to never have to. 

You are correct Steve, there is absolutely no backlash at all.  This was the same way when I pulled it apart, hard to turn and absolutely no backlash.  Looks like I'll be looking up the spec for backlash.  A fine part from gbodyparts.

Thanks for the help.   

[Steve Wood]

Believe it is 6-10 thousandths...

Gary's probably the best advice.   It's too tight, so a tooth contact pattern should tell you which way the ring gear needs to move which will entail pulling a shim(s) on one side or the other.  There should be a good tutorial online how to know what to do....

If this is an used rear end-hopefully you can avoid worrying about the pinion depth and just concentrate on moving the ring gear side to side....

[SuperSix]

I thought doing a tooth-contact test was mandatory when rebuilding a diff?

[Forzfed]

Believe it is 6-10 thousandths...

Gary's probably the best advice.   It's too tight, so a tooth contact pattern should tell you which way the ring gear needs to move which will entail pulling a shim(s) on one side or the other.  There should be a good tutorial online how to know what to do....

If this is an used rear end-hopefully you can avoid worrying about the pinion depth and just concentrate on moving the ring gear side to side....

I was going to say that it sounds like no backlash but you guys covered that.  If it is a drag car you use less back lash I believe compared to a street driver.

[Steve Wood]

I thought doing a tooth-contact test was mandatory when rebuilding a diff?

generally after the backlash is in range.  In this case, I figured it was easy to check the backlash before smearing the compound on the teeth...if the backlash is not right, it is too early to worry about pattern.

It gets more complicated if you have removed/replaced the pinion

[Pyro6]

I was thinking he did a new ring and pinion. That's what I get for thinking.

[Steve Wood]

Either way  he has to figure out where to go now!

Steve

[Charlief1]

Got a link to the instructions Bob? How much was the install kit and where'd you get it?