I started last night and got down to the diff, this morning I pulled the diff and found I did not have the right tool to get the pinion gear out. Now I need to go to the store and get a BFH, not like my deadblow but something solid steel to knock the bastard out. For anybody out there doing this job, when you pry the diff out of the housing, do not kick the prybar. My diff and ring gear landed square on my knee, and it hurts. If anybody has links to a good tech article on changing gears and differentials, post'em up; the two Im using now havent done me any good at all.
Gear swap...
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ironmedic
New Member
yeah i ran into a very good guide how to do it but im gonna have a shop do mine. i know if u do it wrong all hell can break loose LOL!
Job is finished, although when I took it around for a test drive it began howling after it warmed up, and only when I let up off the gas and let it coast. Hopefully it will go away, if it doesnt by the time the 500 mile break-in is up then Ill take it to a shop and have things fixed/replaced as neccessary. This is my only car so Ill have to drive it like it is to work until the first of next month when I get paid again. Heres some pics of the install...
If I didnt state before, its a 2000 Grand Marquis with FRPP 3.55's and a auburn differential.
If I didnt state before, its a 2000 Grand Marquis with FRPP 3.55's and a auburn differential.
I havent gotten the driveshaft, ext. tail housing, or the speedo gear; Ill probably start on all that next month. I'll be checking out that shop next month also if the noise persists. Ive got a feeling it will involve the bearings since I had no grease to pack them, only the gear oil to get them wet before installation.
GOLDENPONY
Founding Member
Gears
Dude, hate to burst your bubble but the howl most likely will NOT go away, sounds like too much backlash. You'd be better off to just taake it to a shop that is good with gears and have it setup, might just save your new gears from damage. Just my $.02.
Dude, hate to burst your bubble but the howl most likely will NOT go away, sounds like too much backlash. You'd be better off to just taake it to a shop that is good with gears and have it setup, might just save your new gears from damage. Just my $.02.
I specified the gear ratio when I bought my superchip a couple months ago, along with the 80mm MAF. It doesnt affect my speedometer, I think its just for the shift points through the transmission. I might take everything apart today since I dont work til tomorrow and add a shim to see if the howling goes away, but if my dial indicator is good I am at the limit as to how tight I can go.
2k2fourpointsix
New Member
GOLDENPONY said:
Bring it to a pro before it gets worn, wait 500 miles and youll be buying a new set.
Mac's01GT said:Hope it all works out for you. You are brave. I personally wouldn't try a gear swap myself. May need the pinion depth adjusted. I have heared Killeen Automotive is good with rear ends. Good luck.
Im gonna shim it a little tighter Friday night, if the noise persists I will be going to Killeen automotive. The stang guy there told me $125 to set backlash, and $225 if he has to pull the pinion gear to reset pinion depth...both prices include any seals, bearings, shims, misc hardware, and gear oil I may need. Hopefully I can fix it on my own, Id feel bad not being able to do something on a car when Ive been working on aircraft powertrain components for the last 5 years.
No I didnt, but now I believe I have it right. The guy at Killeen automotive told me the other day that it should be tight enough to require a prybar to pull the differential out, so I went and scrounged up .020 worth of shims to make the difference. He said I needed this because of the preload that is supposed to be on the diff bearings, and .020 put me back at factory shim thickness.I checked the wear pattern on the broken in gears, it was to the outside of the gear, so I added one .010 to each side and now Im getting ready to go run it around. As soon as Im done eating I will go out and finish putting the brake calipers on and fill the rear end with juice, then wheels go on and Im off to go play. Too bad I didnt get off work earlier, I couldve gone to the track tonight if I started earlier.
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