R&P set up

[Frank]

Im doing a R&P swap for Kevin. The axle tube is not bent , but not inline with the diff. If that makes any sense. From what Im reading you set the pinion preload with a new crush sleeve,install the carrier , check backlash, shim to pattern,put on cover. Thats it ? There is a range for the torque on the pinion , but 20 ftlbs will set the crush sleeve ? Thanks FjR68

[Kurt]

Close....
Make a set of setup bearing out of the pinion bearings. You'll need to take these off a lot while setting the pattern.
The new bearings can be installed on the carrier as the shims will go on the outside of the carrier bearings.
First assemble the pinion & bearings WITHOUT the crush sleeve. Initially use a set of pinion shims that are equal to the old shims +/- the pinion marking difference. Pinions are marked with an nominal offset amount. It's the top number on the pinion head adjust you initial pinion shim pack by the difference between these two numbers. Install and tighten until there is a bit of pinion preload. Use the old pinion nut when doing this. Tighten so there is some preload but not crazy tight. Rotate the pinion a few times to seat the bearings. Re-tighten the pinion nut as need to maintain some preload (20 in-lbs or so)
Now assemble the carrier, install into the housing and put in your initial carrier shims. Initially use the same shim amount that the old carrier used. Adjust the shims as needed so that there is no side to side movement of the carrier but also be sure there is some backlash (to verify the ring gear isn't bound against the pinion). The carrier should be a snug fit in the housing.
Now adjust the carrier shims to achieve the correct backlash. Whatever amount you take from one side of the carrier you need to add to the other side.
Now the real fun begins
Do a pattern check.
Determine what shims need to be adjusted to get a good pattern.
Keep adjusting shim packs and re-checking the pattern until you have a good pattern and the correct backlash.
Backlash should be .008 - .010".
This will involve adjusting both the pinion and carrier shims.
Repeat the above until you get an acceptable pattern.
Now pop the carrier out keeping track of the shims.
Pop the pinion out.
Now remove your setup bearings, press on the new inner bearing, install the new crush collar and install the pinion back into the housing using the new pinion nut and new outer bearing.
Tighten the pinion nut until you feel it get hard indicating it's now starting to compress the sleeve.
The pinion should be flopping around a bit at this point.
Now carefully tighten the pinion. Keep tightening until you feel the pinion just about stop flopping around in the bearings.
Now continue to tighten the pinion nut a tiny bit at a time and keep re-checking the pinion preload.
It will quickly go from zero and jump up so creep up on it slowly.
It takes hundreds of ft-lbs to crush the sleeve. Breaker bar or handle extender needed!
Do not use a gun for this. Must be done by hand.
I usually hold the yoke with a pipe wrench and extender to keep it from spinning during the process.
Preload should be 15-20 INCH Pounds.
* IF you over tighten the nut and exceed the 20 in-lbs by too much you've over crushed the sleeve and will need to get a new one.
Once pinion preload is set then re-install the carrier and it's shims.
Recheck you pattern. You may need to tweek you carrier shims to get back to a good pattern.
Done
Break in and enjoy!


Notes:
Be sure to Locktite the ring gear bolts.
Ring Gear bolt torque 70-85 ft-lbs
Bearing cap bolt torque 70-85 ft-lbs

[Frank]

Thank you Kurt . I just watched a vid and they made it sound like it was a whole lot easier than bearings and shim set up. Thats pretty much the same as I would have expected. Thanks again FjR68