Truetrac, 4:88's in a 8.8

[Blackdog]

I'm having issues with my new Detroit Truetrac and 4:88 gears. After the axles are installed and the "C" clips are in place an axle spacer is inserted between the axles. A retaining cylinder is then installed and held in place with a snap ring.

The problem is with the 4:88 gears I don't have room to insert the retaining cylinder. Should I grind the ring gear or the retaining cylinder for clearance? Grinding the gears a little are common on the Detroit locker but with the Truetrac I think the grinding could lead to a ring gear failure. Have any of you experienced this before? Thanks

 

[Hahnsb2]

Are you talking about the ring gear? If so, the gears are no different between a locker or open or anything. Grinding the ring gear a little is common and doesn't weaken the gear at all.

 

[4x4junkie]

Actually grinding the gear shouldn't ever be needed with a Detroit Locker (the crosspin is stepped to clear the gear).

As for anything else with a round pin, grinding the gear is the best way to do it. As said, locker type has no bearing on the gears (or how they mesh with the pinion). The very tip of the gear teeth where you'd grind it never makes contact with the pinion, strength is unaffected.

 

[Blackdog]

I called tech support at Randy's Ring and pinion where I got all my stuff. Terry, the master tech said the same thing to grind a little off the edge of the gears (but avoid the contact area) or grind some off the retaining cylinder. I ended up taking about 1/4" off the edge of the cyl and did not touch the ring gear at all.

I hate grinding on expensive new parts.

Tomorrow I'll weld in new spring pads and shock mounts, paint it and install it. Gear man will have the front diff ready Sunday.