gear install help

[tsledge3]

Hello,

I am installing 4.56 gears in my ford 7.5 and need some help. In the pictures I have no pinion shims and I think the pattern is saying that the pinion is still too close. backlash is .009. Any insight would be beneficial. Thank

https://imageshack.com/i/f00LE5HFj
https://imageshack.com/i/eyNg1vkHj
https://imageshack.com/i/f04AYVnbj
https://imageshack.com/i/idLPqMpSj

still learning how to do pictures

 

[Captain Ledd]

Hmm... yea something's not right. Backlash is .008-.015, so while that's in spec it is on the tight end. Could try backing that off a hair.

Are you absolutely certain the bearing is completely seated on the pinion? (have to ask, obligatory question)

Try backing off the backlash first, but it does appear the pinion somehow needs to be thinner...

When I did my 8.8 I took it apart and back together soooooooo many times before I got a good pattern.

 

[tsledge3]

Thank you,

I checked out the pinion bearing again and i think i discovered the source of endless frustration. I shaved the inside of the old bearing down and used that so i could easily change shims. I looked at it again and compared it with the new bearing. The old bearing has a slightly different shape than the new one and does not fit the new race correctly. In fact it sits out higher than the new bearing. Back to the starting line, thank you again.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Start with the shims that you took out and go from there.

 

[tsledge3]

Sasquatch, that is exactly what I did. Stock shim was dead on once I figured out the bearing issue. Thanks for the help, pattern is good and shes going in tomorrow.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Awesome! Glad to hear you got it worked out!

Out of curiosity, what tire size are you running? I went all the way to 4.56 on 235/75R15's with my 2.3L. I love it! It actually feels geared the way it's supposed to be.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Excellent!

Pinion depth really doesn't change much between gear sets so starting with the stock shims usually gets you very very close if not acceptable.