Who Has Installed Their Own Read End Gears?

Zembonez · April 9, 2009

OK

I've built just about everything that there is to build on vehicles (engines, transmissions, body work, restorations, etc.) over the years but I've never done any rear end gear swaps. Who has done a set of GM 8.5 gears that can give me some suggestions and tips? The actual process of removing the old gears and installing the new ones is a no brainer but I need to hear from somebody on setting up the new ones for proper lash, etc.

The more I think about this, the more I want to do it myself. AM I NUTS for wanting to do this?

L29er · April 9, 2009

I have done oodles of chevy rear ends, 8.5 and up, doing my 10.5" tonight actually, have a thread going on it too, i can find some setup instructions and scann and post them if you like, there is good pictures and explanations on what movements affect which parts of the patterns.

Zembonez · April 9, 2009

I have done oodles of chevy rear ends, 8.5 and up, doing my 10.5" tonight actually, have a thread going on it too, i can find some setup instructions and scann and post them if you like, there is good pictures and explanations on what movements affect which parts of the patterns.

I'm all over doing it myself if I have a few pointers from somebody that has done it. I will pretty much tear into anything.

Your scan would be much appreciated!

Ranger · April 9, 2009

Interested in this too, I may swap my 3.73s for 4.10s if I go the route of a bigger trailer...

robertmagni · April 9, 2009

I am also interested, anyone have a gear calculator for the setup I would need, I have a 4.3 V6, auto 3.42 gear rear end, only mods 275/55-20 tires not sure what factory size tires are (since I never had them).

Thanks

Robert

LAGA · April 9, 2009

Unless you like the sound of gear howl, I suggest you get some experienced help or have someone do it for you. It`s not hard to do,but it is hard to do right. That`s why I called a friend of mine to install my 4.10`s. He is a GM mechanic for a Chevy dealer. I went with oem AAM gears so that they will be as quiet as possible. I hope to get them installed in the next two weeks.

Zembonez · April 9, 2009

Unless you like the sound of gear howl, I suggest you get some experienced help or have someone do it for you. It`s not hard to do,but it is hard to do right. That`s why I called a friend of mine to install my 4.10`s. He is a GM mechanic for a Chevy dealer. I went with oem AAM gears so that they will be as quiet as possible. I hope to get them installed in the next two weeks.

I know several people who run Richmond Gears (what I have) and love them. I realize it isn't an easy thing to do right... but have no doubt it can be done.

I heard all of the horror stories before I dove in and rebuilt my first engine. Voodoo stories about how mysterious it was and all that turned out to be pretty easy stuff if you had the right tools and could read a dial indicator and caliper. I put about 10K HARD miles on that hotrod before I sold it to my brother who played with it for another year. I know many folks who've changed gears out in their race cars (and tow vehicles) with great success so I am going to be asking them some questions as well.

I'm thinking that enough people are telling me NOT to do this that I might just have to do it anyway!

Matt_ · April 9, 2009

i've done em... they're not hard to do with the right tools, but it can be very tedious and time consuming to get the pinion depth and backlash right.

Do you have a press handy? You'll need one for the pinion bearing (and carrier bearings assuming you're replacing all of them).

robertmagni · April 9, 2009

I'm thinking that enough people are telling me NOT to do this that I might just have to do it anyway!

I like it when people say stuff like this, when I say it usually it ends up costing me more, but thats just me.

Robert

Matt_ · April 9, 2009

I like it when people say stuff like this, when I say it usually it ends up costing me more, but thats just me.

Robert

To others, we see doing something like this as a great challenge to overcome and take pride in doing the work ourselves.

It's true that not everyone has the tools/ability/time to do gears. But i say if you have the means and want to give it a shot, go for it!

Going to a show and having someone ask, "Who installed your gears?", and being able to reply with "I do all my own work"..... PRICELESS

True Story

Zembonez · April 9, 2009

I'm thinking that enough people are telling me NOT to do this that I might just have to do it anyway!

I like it when people say stuff like this, when I say it usually it ends up costing me more, but thats just me.

Robert

I agree. I do want to make a valid attempt at it though rather than blunder in unprepared.

Looks like I have some studying to do.

J-man67 · April 9, 2009

Damn you might of just talked me into doing mine by myself... I do know a guy that has done them. Maybe I will console in him and see if he will help. Just always get the vibe thats its a extremely tedious project, which I know it is, but its always scared me I suppose. Not something I want to phuck up I guess.

I was looking around a little earlier and I found Pirate4x4.com to be very useful on this subject. Browse around there and you will learn a lot fast!

VR021302 · April 9, 2009

Damn you might of just talked me into doing mine by myself... I do know a guy that has done them. Maybe I will consult in him and see if he will help. Just always get the vibe thats its a extremely tedious project, which I know it is, but its always scared me I suppose. Not something I want to phuck up I guess.

I was looking around a little earlier and I found Pirate4x4.com to be very useful on this subject. Browse around there and you will learn a lot fast!

fixed

J-man67 · April 10, 2009

Damn you might of just talked me into doing mine by myself... I do know a guy that has done them. Maybe I will consult in him and see if he will help. Just always get the vibe thats its a extremely tedious project, which I know it is, but its always scared me I suppose. Not something I want to phuck up I guess.

I was looking around a little earlier and I found Pirate4x4.com to be very useful on this subject. Browse around there and you will learn a lot fast!

fixed

Thanks...

Griptruk · April 10, 2009

Based on the initial topic title I was going to say "if you have to ask, you shouldN'T (edit) be doing it"

However, after reading about the experience you have building engines and other work it sounds like you should be able to pull it off if you get a good set of instructions and have all the tools and marking compound and stuff available.

Gear setting and automatic transmissions are the two things where most people I know, even experienced people who will do anything else on a car, will leave it to an experienced pro. This does seem to be one of those things where it is an art as much as a science, so it would certainly be huge to have someone who's done it before help you out.

-Jer