Break in for new gears
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 386
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From: Bozeman, Montana
Break in for new gears
Hey Folks,
Dropped the jeep off this morning to get the 5.13's installed.
Now as I pace around the house waiting for the call I was thinking aboot the break-in period.
They say the only stupid question is the one not asked, so here goes.
To properly break them in, am I going to need to run it in 4-hi? I don't mean to take it out and run it hard and put unnecessary stress on the new setup. Just shift to 4-hi and let it roll for a bit.
Hope the question makes sense.
A big thank you to David at Northridge for hooking us up.
Thanks,
Beel
Dropped the jeep off this morning to get the 5.13's installed.
Now as I pace around the house waiting for the call I was thinking aboot the break-in period.
They say the only stupid question is the one not asked, so here goes.
To properly break them in, am I going to need to run it in 4-hi? I don't mean to take it out and run it hard and put unnecessary stress on the new setup. Just shift to 4-hi and let it roll for a bit.
Hope the question makes sense.
A big thank you to David at Northridge for hooking us up.
Thanks,
Beel
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 686
Likes: 0
From: Land of the rising sun
You don't need to run around in 4 hi, just keep it under 60 MPH for about 500 miles. Try not to drive for more than about an hour during the break-in to let you gears heat all the way up and cool down a few times before you go on any long road trips.
Once you've gone 500 miles, change your diff fluid and check your wear pattern on the ring gear. You'll see a build-up of really fine metal powder on your drain plug. That's completely normal, so don't freak out. Other than that there's not too much you need to worry about.
Congrats on the new gears!
Once you've gone 500 miles, change your diff fluid and check your wear pattern on the ring gear. You'll see a build-up of really fine metal powder on your drain plug. That's completely normal, so don't freak out. Other than that there's not too much you need to worry about.
Congrats on the new gears!
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: Bozeman, Montana
You don't need to run around in 4 hi, just keep it under 60 MPH for about 500 miles. Try not to drive for more than about an hour during the break-in to let you gears heat all the way up and cool down a few times before you go on any long road trips.
Once you've gone 500 miles, change your diff fluid and check your wear pattern on the ring gear. You'll see a build-up of really fine metal powder on your drain plug. That's completely normal, so don't freak out. Other than that there's not too much you need to worry about.
Congrats on the new gears!
Once you've gone 500 miles, change your diff fluid and check your wear pattern on the ring gear. You'll see a build-up of really fine metal powder on your drain plug. That's completely normal, so don't freak out. Other than that there's not too much you need to worry about.
Congrats on the new gears!
That is going to be a very long 500 miles.
Beel
JK Junkie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 1
From: The San Andreas Fault
Definitely change your oil after the break-in period. Although my oil came out pretty clean on my JK, in the past my TJ definitely showed the need for it.
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 165
From: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
Ask the shop that is doing the work, since they are the ones backing the warranty on the gears/install. Seems there are many different opinions, so better just to see what they want you do...
Here is the recommendation from Randy's R&P
Here is the recommendation from Randy's R&P
What is the break-in proceedure for a new set of gears?
All new gear sets require a break-in period to prevent damage from overheating. After driving the first 15 or 20 miles it is best to let the differential cool before proceeding. I recommend at least 500 miles before towing. I also recommend towing for very short distances (less than 15 miles) and letting the differential cool before continuing during the first 45 towing miles. This may seem unnecessary but I have seen many differentials damaged from being loaded before the gear set was broken in.
I also recommend changing the gear oil after the first 500 miles. This will remove any metal particles or phosphorus coating that has come from the new gear set.
All new gear sets require a break-in period to prevent damage from overheating. After driving the first 15 or 20 miles it is best to let the differential cool before proceeding. I recommend at least 500 miles before towing. I also recommend towing for very short distances (less than 15 miles) and letting the differential cool before continuing during the first 45 towing miles. This may seem unnecessary but I have seen many differentials damaged from being loaded before the gear set was broken in.
I also recommend changing the gear oil after the first 500 miles. This will remove any metal particles or phosphorus coating that has come from the new gear set.
JK Junkie
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 0
From: HAWAII
Although this has nothing to do with the break-in period, if you havent done so already you should invest in a programmer/calibrator such as a SuperChips FP. This will allow you to recalibrate your speedometer to factor in your new gearing and bigger tires + it also gives you other tuning features and a little HP/TQ...
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: Bozeman, Montana
Thanks for the input from everyone. I will certainly be taking it slow for a while.
When I ordered the gears we got the Superchip as well. After 3 years on 35's I was getting tired of calculating my speed in my head anyway. 
Beel
Although this has nothing to do with the break-in period, if you havent done so already you should invest in a programmer/calibrator such as a SuperChips FP. This will allow you to recalibrate your speedometer to factor in your new gearing and bigger tires + it also gives you other tuning features and a little HP/TQ...
When I ordered the gears we got the Superchip as well. After 3 years on 35's I was getting tired of calculating my speed in my head anyway. Beel
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Super Moderator
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,750
Likes: 89
From: Arizona
Here's a tip from Randy's Ring and Pinion:
What is the break-in proceedure for a new set of gears?
All new gear sets require a break-in period to prevent damage from overheating. After driving the first 15 or 20 miles it is best to let the differential cool before proceeding. I recommend at least 500 miles before towing. I also recommend towing for very short distances (less than 15 miles) and letting the differential cool before continuing during the first 45 towing miles. This may seem unnecessary but I have seen many differentials damaged from being loaded before the gear set was broken in.
I also recommend changing the gear oil after the first 500 miles. This will remove any metal particles or phosphorus coating that has come from the new gear set.
ringpinion.com
What is the break-in proceedure for a new set of gears?
All new gear sets require a break-in period to prevent damage from overheating. After driving the first 15 or 20 miles it is best to let the differential cool before proceeding. I recommend at least 500 miles before towing. I also recommend towing for very short distances (less than 15 miles) and letting the differential cool before continuing during the first 45 towing miles. This may seem unnecessary but I have seen many differentials damaged from being loaded before the gear set was broken in.
I also recommend changing the gear oil after the first 500 miles. This will remove any metal particles or phosphorus coating that has come from the new gear set.
ringpinion.com