Pattern check, first timer needs reassurance

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

We use a 1/4" thick 2" wide piece of flat bar steel about 30" long with holes in it that you bolt to the flange. Swing the bar up against the leaf spring and use that to hold the flange.

For the solid spacer, I start by measuring the crush sleeve that I took out and get my spacer and shim stack to be the same thickness as a starting point. If you are cranking it down to the point where you are wrecking the spacer your shim stack is too thick. Sounds like your spacer is toast now.

All the ones I have used are just one big spacer and a bunch of smaller shims used to fine tune you pinion bearing preload. Super easy to use.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Yeah, mine was 2 parts.

I was under the impression that if you hit the 15-20 in/lbs preload you stopped, but I hadn't hit the 140-150 ft/lbs on the pinion nut, so I kept adding shims. After a while I noticed the smaller ring was pressing farther onto the shaft.

All the ones on the internet pictures were one piece as well, that's why I just used the one part and stacked a TON of shims on it.

Originally, I used the 2 pieces with no shims, and it was way too loose. I didn't tighten it all the way down because I thought it was wayyyy to big, like I was only supposed to use one piece. I also tried measuring the old crush sleve but again, at first it seemed way too big.

I guess I'm going to keep cranking it down until it hits that ledge and bottoms out or something... or just cut it off and order another spacer. Maybe I should get a picture.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Picture would be helpful...

Bearing preload is the most important issue here....

Like I said, your spacer and shim stack should be around the same thickness as the old crush sleeve that you took out of the diff.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Ended up taking a video. Had to use my camera at some point, figured it be a good test run.

I used the smaller piece first because that's what all the 8.8 solid spacers looked like on Google images. As the solid part got further down the shaft and the shim stack got thicker I started getting suspicious.

Anywho, here's the vid:

http://youtu.be/jg0aoxjhbNE

Maybe this will work?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

The ones I've installed look nothing like that....

Anyways, looked like maybe that piece that you are putting on last was mean to go on first. The the part that is now stuck is next, then the small shims to set final preload.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

What brand is the spacer? Yukon? Maybe email them.