New 3.73s and support cover

[MeenZ28]

So I've had the parts to do this for a while now and finally got up the nerve to say "I've rebuilt my 4l60e, how hard could THIS be?". Spent all day Sunday tearing the rear end apart and swaping in new bearings and 3.73s in to the ol' 10 bolt. Went pretty smooth cept for two things, I had to find a machine shop to press the new bearings on (a length of PVC pipe and a sledge hammer doesn't quite to the trick) and also, the old saying "lefty loosy, righty tighty" does not apply to the ring gear lol. In any event I'm happy with it all and my hand painted support cover.

[MeenZ28]

So... hypothetically , the the gears weren't shimed right, what would it sound like?

[MunsterZ28]

So... hypothetically , the the gears weren't shimed right, what would it sound like?

they would whine i think

[MeenZ28]

Real loud or faint? On decleration or all the time?

[Darren]

It looks good, but I have no idea what the gears would sound like. for someone who would, Jeff?

[DETROITMUSCLE]

whine on accel is worse if I remember correctly, some aftermarket gearsets whine on decel regardless. I'm not an expert though.

[BP_Z28]

I like it!

[WMCCjames]

How did you go about setting the pinion bearing preload? What's your rolling torque value? Did you check backlash all around the ring gear? Did you use alot of case preload?

[MeenZ28]

How did you go about setting the pinion bearing preload? What's your rolling torque value? Did you check backlash all around the ring gear? Did you use alot of case preload?

I think I'm about to get schooled.... I have no idea what any of that means. I followed the instructions that came with the install kit, painted a dab on the pinion gear and rolled it around to see where it hit on the ring gear and ajusted accordingly till it was where it needed to be. Am I noob?

[WMCCjames]

There is alot to setting up a ring and pinion. You cannot just look at a pattern to determine if things are correct. Did you use a new crush collar on the pinion or are you using a solid spacer? Whenever you install a pinion you have to check and set bearing preload. This is properly done with a 1/4 drive inch pound beam torque wrench. There are 2 differnt settings to look for based on if the bearings are new or used. Case preload is basically how tight the diff case squeezes the carrier. Backlash on the gears needs to be checked in 4 spots around the ring gear as well as the contact pattern. To get a clear pattern it's always a good idea to preload the ring gear while spinning it or spin the ring gear with an axle..this works best for me. Bascially you have to force the pinion and gear to make contact on both sides of the tooth. There is TONS of good info you can find on the net...Randy's ring and Pinion is one of the best sites I found for set-up info.