Carrier backlash setup

[Dartfreak75]

Ok guys I have my new bearings installed in my 8.8 and the side to side movement is gone thank goodness it fits extremely tight now. So hear is how I set it up i measured the thickness of the old shims and what side they was on and matched that to each side with the new shims. I have watched videos about the backlash and still dont quite understand it. I don't have one of the micro measurements devices that they used in the video can this be dont with a feeler gauge? Between the ring and pinion? Thanks for any advice you can give

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

It would be impossible to use a feeler gauge. Get a magnetic dial indicator at Harbour freight.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Set it up so you can BARELY feel the ring gear "rock" back and forth without turning the pinion and you'll have it. The spec is like .006-.010". In other words, it ain't MUCH. I have an old racer friend who used to set them up at zero and just "run" the backlash in. He never once had a failure.

 

[Dartfreak75]

It would be impossible to use a feeler gauge. Get a magnetic dial indicator at Harbour freight.

Ok thanks when I set it up do I turn it by the pinion or the gear ? How do you set the zero? Maybe the backlash is just to small but the movement to me feels like it's on the pinion. It's hard to explain lol when I turn the ring by hand I dont feel any lash. But when I turn the pinion I feel a little I made a video I will post it so you can see what I'm talking about

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

You set it up by manipulating the magnetic base on the housing while the neddle rests on one of the teeth on the ring gear. Once set up turn the dial on the gauge to zero. getley rock the ring gear back and forth. you only want to move the RG play. It doesn't matter weather you read on the plus side or minus side of zero. What ever the play is, that is your backlash. You need to check the backlash in 4 different spots. Seldom will it be the same in all 4 places. You just get a happy medium.

 

[Tooljunkie]

What rrr said. Could wire a pointer from a cover bolt and watch how much it moves,1/2 the thickness of the wire should be enough. Rocking just the ring gear back and forth is all you need to do. It barely moves.

that being said, pattern needs to be checked,and you cannot have any tight spots. one reason i really like the 8.25’s as you can easily adjust them.

 

[Dartfreak75]

You set it up by manipulating the magnetic base on the housing while the neddle rests on one of the teeth on the ring gear. Once set up turn the dial on the gauge to zero. getley rock the ring gear back and forth. you only want to move the RG play. It doesn't matter weather you read on the plus side or minus side of zero. What ever the play is, that is your backlash. You need to check the backlash in 4 different spots. Seldom will it be the same in all 4 places. You just get a happy medium.

Thank you very much for your help will this setup work? It will be good to have one I need one when I degree my cam anyway

 

[Tooljunkie]

What rrr said. Could wire a pointer from a cover bolt and watch how much it moves,1/2 the thickness of the wire should be enough. Rocking just the ring gear back and forth is all you need to do. It barely moves.

that being said, pattern needs to be checked,and you cannot have any tight spots. one reason i really like the 8.25’s as you can easily adjust them.

When i set them up, i try to get close to minimum backlash spec.

 

[Dartfreak75]

Set it up so you can BARELY feel the ring gear "rock" back and forth without turning the pinion and you'll have it. The spec is like .006-.010". In other words, it ain't MUCH. I have an old racer friend who used to set them up at zero and just "run" the backlash in. He never once had a failure.

Right now I dont feel any movement in the ring but I do in the pinion

 

[RustyRatRod]

Right now I dont feel any movement in the ring but I do in the pinion

Then the ring gear has it too. You just ain't doin it right. lol

 

[mopowers]

Don't forget about carrier bearing preload either.

 

[Dartfreak75]

Don't forget about carrier bearing preload either.

Wtf is that haha

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

Thank you very much for your help will this setup work? It will be good to have one I need one when I degree my cam anyway

View attachment 1715508852

That will do the job.

 

[mopowers]

I don't know anything about 8.8 rearends, but if the bearings are tapered rollers like on a Dana 60 or 8-3/4, the carrier bearings need a little bit of preload. You would set up the backlash to spec, then take it back apart and add shims (same size) to both sides to preload the carrier bearings.

 

[Dartfreak75]

I don't know anything about 8.8 rearends, but if the bearings are tapered rollers like on a Dana 60 or 8-3/4, the carrier bearings need a little bit of preload. You would set up the backlash to spec, then take it back apart and add shims (same size) to both sides to preload the carrier bearings.

Yes that is correct the shims is what moves the ring towards or away from the pinion. I understand how it works I just wasnt sure how to measure it.

 

[mopowers]

Yes that is correct the shims is what moves the ring towards or away from the pinion. I understand how it works I just wasnt sure how to measure it.

I realize that, but you also need to be mindful of preload. Typically, you set backlash, then add shims to provide preload. My point was - once backlash is set, you're not done.

 

[Dartfreak75]

I realize that, but you also need to be mindful of preload. Typically, you set backlash, then add shims to provide preload. My point was - once backlash is set, you're not done.

Oh ok how do you set the preload after the backlash is set. Isnt the preload set in the pinion? I never removed the pinion it's still on the factory location with the factory crush sleeve

 

[mopowers]

Pinion preload is set independently of carrier bearing preload. Since the pinion didn't move, leave it alone. All you have to do is set backlash and add carrier bearing preload (different than pinion bearing preload).

I would just look up on google (someone here may know) how much shim is typically used to provide carrier bearing preload in rearends like dana 60s, 8.8 etc. I believed I used .010" extra on each side in my Dana 60, but I can't remember for sure. How easy does the carrier (with ring gear) drop in now with the factory shims? Do you have to tap it in, or does it drop in easy?

 

[Dartfreak75]

Pinion preload is set independently of carrier bearing preload. Since the pinion didn't move, leave it alone. All you have to do is set backlash and add carrier bearing preload (different than pinion bearing preload).

I would just look up on google (someone here may know) how much shim is typically used to provide carrier bearing preload in rearends like dana 60s, 8.8 etc. I believed I used .010" extra on each side in my Dana 60, but I can't remember for sure. How easy does the carrier (with ring gear) drop in now with the factory shims? Do you have to tap it in, or does it drop in easy?

Thanks. It fits very tight I had to tap it in on each side with a rubber mallet

 

[Dartfreak75]

Hear is a video if it helps

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

You need to put the caps on and tighten the bolts to make sure it is all the way down. But I can tell you by how much that pinion moves, it is way to much.

 

[Dartfreak75]

You need to put the caps on and tighten the bolts to make sure it is all the way down. But I can tell you by how much that pinion moves, it is way to much.

So I need to add shim to the left side to move the ring closer to the pinion

 

[mopowers]

Definitely snug the caps down when you're figuring this out. Helps eliminate the variables.

 

[Dartfreak75]

Definitely snug the caps down when you're figuring this out. Helps eliminate the variables.

Yea I will I didn't think of that

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

So I need to add shim to the left side to move the ring closer to the pinion

Your setting it up blind. Get the dial indicator so you have a base line. Remember when you remove from one side you need to add the same to the opposite side.