Thank you for the response. The listing just said low miles so not sure the exact miles. I did not install the diff on the car. Is there a way I can measure the breakaway torque while the diff is off the car? Also do you know the preload range while the diff is off the car?
Read all that. Great write up! Pretty much went through all the threads on this forum. But little bit nerve wracking doing it for the first time
I am not that shocked to hear a low mileage unit has only ~5"lb of preload. Measured preload is not always an indication of overall wear.
It's more likely from a few (or more) hard launches, reducing preload on the crush sleeve length, from shock load on the assembly. This is why some of pur clients will opt to replace the crush sleeve w/a solid pinion spacer, when doing this type of work/inspection. Especially if bearings all look good, but you decide to Fresh'n'Up the pinion bearings & install either a nee crush sleeve, or the more robust component-
a solid pinion spacer.
It's difficult to determine whether the carrier bearing friction
(by not having removed it)
is contributing to the 5"lb cumulative figure measured this far, from the inspection process you have done to date.
To be accurate in your preload evaluation- 1st remove the complete ring gear carrier assembly, after draining all gear oil obviously.
(keep track of the side shims on ea side of ring gear carrier, while not confusing them for the reassembly later..)
Then, properly check the pinion bearing preload, with no ring gear/carrier- installed, along with the ~2 quarts of gear lube being removed/drained.
Having done hundreds of rear diffs over decades, we can advise, based on what you see inside, & what is measured in pinion bearing preload.
Looking at the carrier bearings/races, as well, during this disassembly process, is a good idea. Obviously, you will look at the gear oil, for contamination of materials from wear.
Hopefully its all in decent shape.
Keep us posted if you go further.
Thank you John. You are correct. I just measured them and it is a tad shorter. Is it usually so easy for things to come apart? Also any ideas for the no preload on the pinion?
No that is normal.
You should have had to pry the diff/ring gear out of the housing with 2 pry bars.
That gear pattern does not look good at all.Well today has been eventual with the diff.
The first thing I did was to get the pattern on the rings. I thought I saw somewhere that posted what the pattern should look like but cannot find it. Here is a picture of what I got.
While rotating the pinion to get the pattern, I would hear an occasional clunk when both gears were turning.
After that I decided to take out the carrier with the ring. I marked and removed the cap screws and the caps. Now I am thinking how to convince the torsen to come out since I did not want to compress the case. To my surprise, I grabbed the carrier with my hands and just pulled it out. There were one shim on each side (same size). This was too easy but being the first time I do this I have nothing to compare it to.
Next, I measured the preload on the pinion (by itself). There was no preload what so ever. The thing just spun when you touched it. So I decided to remove the pinion. First thing, I removed the flange. Again super easy. Held it with one hand and used an impact to remove the nut. I then used a 3 jaw puller and pulled the flange out.
Then I got a small block of wood and placed it on the pinion. Couple of light taps with the hammer and the pinion was out. Now, while inspecting the crush washer, it did not seem to be crushed at all. Again, since I have not seen a crushed crush sleeve before I am not sure what it looks like. But I assume it would be somewhat crushed? I had a brand new crush washer that I bought with a different kit so I compared the two. They seem to be the same height. Here is a picture of the new one (the one on the bag) and the used one side-by-side.
I am not sure what to make of this. I think someone tried to install or rebuild the diff and gave up half way through.
Regardless, it has been a fun project so far and I am learning a lot.
What do the experts think? Am I on the right track with this?
