krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
i'm looking for some input on pinion depth guages. has anyone used the summit racing set up? for $89.95 the price is right but it looks to be a pita to use, too much room for error?
pinion depth guage
- Thread starter krusty the clown
- Start date
Vernmotor
Well-known member
Yes you got it..I use that one and a flew more..even the factory dodge one is a pain..I am trying to think of a good way to say this,,,but All any of them do is get you close..you still need to go by the gear patten when it all done and said..I have been seting up gears for many years all diff kinds..racing and pass-cars..
Deafautotech
Well-known member
really? most of time as master tech at my work just do the specific like pinion bearing preload with dial torque wrench to see if it is in specific or need more compression to make right specific. even he do the backlash to make sure it is under of specific... they never show me how to use pinion depth gauge.... so i cant figure out easy....
OP
krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
i guess i have been spoiled by the ford/rotunda tool......
Vernmotor
Well-known member
pinion depth --- bearing preload and backlash are three diff things. pinion depth and backlash have to do with gear patten ..bearing preload is other. I do that by feel ..but do not tell anyone else to do it that way..I have build 100s of rear ends. it just back when I learn how ..it was old school and no tools like they are today..gears are funny things. all the math in the world will not make them quit wining! I seen techs kill themself try to make it come out right by the math and still make noise.. all the tools and math will do is get you close...
Vernmotor
Well-known member
I like to use it and see how it was one time...
kbbrett
Member
I have never used the Summit cheapies. I have this one, manufacteured by T&D Machine ,and have been very pleased. It covers a very wide range of differentials, and they will custom machine pieces for you at a reasonable priec if needed.
http://completeoffroad.com/i-122837-pinion-depth-tool.html
http://completeoffroad.com/i-122837-pinion-depth-tool.html
OP
krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
it'll spoil you too.......it will select the right shim and your done. i have done quite a few with the rotunda tool and never had to reset the depth, most of the time you can use the same side brg shims and the backlash will be in specs, no compound marking test, and no noise. i guess no one else has a tool like this. if you have to use marking compound and pull it apart to reshim you couls just use the +- marks on the pinion and get just as close.
Vernmotor
Well-known member
milkovich
Well-known member
My opinion is that if it references the caps as the centerline of the carrier... it's close but not exact. The real deal should should be round and hold the indicator at the actual centerline.
I've used the Ratech tool and it's gotten me close enough but I'd love one like that T&D deal.
I've used the Ratech tool and it's gotten me close enough but I'd love one like that T&D deal.
it'll spoil you too.......it will select the right shim and your done. i have done quite a few with the rotunda tool and never had to reset the depth, most of the time you can use the same side brg shims and the backlash will be in specs, no compound marking test, and no noise. i guess no one else has a tool like this. if you have to use marking compound and pull it apart to reshim you couls just use the +- marks on the pinion and get just as close.
You got a pic of that Rotunda or a link to it? You are making me interested in possibly adding a new member to the tool family...
OP
krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
I am looking into buying the T&D pinion depth gauge but wondered if anyone has experience with one and how well it works? I am wanting to change gears on my 8.8 to either a 3.90 or 4.10 and I would just assume do it myself then to pay someone else to do it.