Putting 5.13's and an ARB in my rear 44. Just wanted to get opinions on my contact pattern. Backlash is set to .005". The coast side looks very similar. This pattern looks good to me.

Appreciate the input...

 

Looks fine to me. Sometimes the pattern is closer to the pinion (more pinion shim) but that should be fine.

 

Looks dead on to me.

 

Agreed, looks pretty good, nice job

 

Perfect! Nice centered pattern and diffused edges. ROLL EM

 

How long do you think it took you to do the gear install ?

 

Thanks! Just the guys I was hoping to reply. Special thanks to BlackNorthernJK's writeup. I used it for reference.

I would like to share something interesting about the setup now that I have your opinions.

I changed NOTHING on the pinion shims. I used the original shim thickness which came from the factory.

The JK's come with an "oem master shim". I used this, the ARB master shims, and .003" on the ring gear side to get my current setup. Even with removing the .003" from the ring gear side and using ONLY the master shims (OEM and ARB) everything is still within spec.

This seemed a little odd to me (being my first install). I spend most of the day trying different configurations. Only to find the parameters would fall out of spec. So I reverted to what I have now.

We had one MAJOR hurdle of the day....the crush sleeve (show stopper). We got a little ahead of ourselves (mainly due to excitement on how smoothly it was going) and happened to over crush the sleeve. I'll have to pick one up as soon as I can because my DD is now down.


Fortunately my install partner (and cousin) works at a machine shop and built a case spreader and a "flange wrench". Here are some pics....

Custom Flange Wrench.... You can see why it was so easy to over tighten the crush sleeve.


Case Spreader

 

I slotted this weekend to do the rear end due to it being my first time, and the ARB locker.

We were on track to complete the rear end install in 10 hours. BUT we over tightened the crush sleeve. I will have to get a new one before I can continue. The crush sleeve impacts preload on an exponential curve (as we soon realized). We checked it at one point and the pinion flange was still loose. Tightened it 1/2 turn and rechecked. That 1/2 turn killed it. Too tight.

Done for the day...Today being Sunday everybody is closed.

 

1stJeeper. I like your tool. Here's a pic of mine:



In action:


You are exactly right. Once you get the play outa the pinion bearing you gotta check about every 1/8th of a turn past to get the preload right. It's a pain when you tool is bolted on like both our tools.

Awesome looking case spreader. Does your buddy have plans for it?

 

Well the rear end is all buttoned up. ARB functioning and all. I ran to the local dealership this morning and bought a new seal and crush sleeve. This time I took it nice and slow with small turns. That preload comes quick. It wasn't but 1/4 turn between my flange being tight (vs loose) to being within spec.

Thanks RCJeeper. You gave me the idea to have my cuz build a spacer for the flange. The other piece was from some youtube video on a ford 9 inch. It worked well over all.

I'll pass the comment along to my cousin. The case spreader really made things a lot easier. We never had to hassle with getting the carrier in and out. For the immediate future we plan to use the case spreader for both of our installs. My rear 44 was the first.

Next week is my front 30, then his front and rear (TJ), then his long arm...




Here is close up of the parts which make up the flange wrench. That spacer is a little over 1/2". For reference the flange bolts are M8-1.25 (and I used 40mm length)