Re-gear project

Pretty close, it seems sort of contrary but if the pattern is on the edge of the tooth, the pinion depth needs to be reduced.
Nice work on the case spreader.

 

Where did you get the tool to install the axle shaft seals? I'm probably going to install my powr-lok myself and looking into the tools I should buy. Thanks!

 

I'm certainly no expert, but I have successfully set up 4 r&p's and several Powerloks. The pattern on the drive side looks a little deep to me, although it's a good contact pattern. It's probably fine, but if you are concerned, back the pinion out a tad and see what it does. It will likely increase your backlash which means pulling the carrier bearing(s) again. Hope you get an opinion from someone else beside me though.

 

Shims go on the outside of the carrier bearings, which is both good and bad. It makes it really difficult to get the shims in on the ring gear side, even with the spreader.

New pattern after removing .005 from the pinion and tightening up the backlash which is now .005.

Drive


Coast

 

On a D44 the shims go between the case and the bearing cone, not on the outside. At least that's the case with every D44 I've worked on.

 

Both the ARB and Yukon Zip Locker use different carrier bearings because of the seal housing. The shims do in fact go on the outside with these lockers.

 

I like to learn stuff. Thanks.

 

Thanks for clarifying that. I learn something every day here.

 

Neighbor kid is doing a 14 bolt rear axle set up in his YJ, 44 front, coil over shocks, much easier than a D44 to set up the axle. He at least has it on the wheels now. It took 4 of us to get the roll cage back in. Sort of a garage door issue.
It should be fun to see this thing on the road. I'll still run my 3B with him. I'll probably get stomped, but what the heck? I probably have $15,000 less money in mine

 

The second pattern looks pretty good to me. Correct me if I'm wrong, pinion depth determines where the contact is from toe to heel while backlash works more on the shape of the pattern in relation to the root and the top of the gear tooth. Does that make sense? Like I said, I'm certainly no expert on this.

 

The last pattern is still running slightly toe on the convex drive side.
What's the pinion depth shim pack ? Is it maybe .020 right now ?
Then reduce that to a .018" pinion depth shim pack.
Backlash is getting tight at .005 but don't mess with that until you remove .002 from the pinion depth and retest the pattern.
Also make sure the pinion preload is fairly near spec when testing for the marking pattern.
If the pinion preload is currently correct then all you need to do is reduce the pinion depth .002"and add .002' to the preload shim.
Please record and specify all shim packs including pinion depth, preload, plus carrier ring side and carrier open side.

Yes

 

The last patterns were at .020 pinion depth and .005 backlash. The drive looked good but I thought it was slightly shallow on the coast side. I added .002 and the pinion is now at .022" with .008" backlash. This is what I'm going to run it at.

 

Patterns are always a bit of a compromise. If you look at all the accepted patterns on the installation guide it seems like almost anything goes. If your pattern matches any of the examples you are probably fine.

 

Well I still think you went the wrong way with the pinion depth but its your call .

 

The coast side is centered, but the coast side isn't nearly as important as the drive side. The drive side pattern is definitely a little deeper than I'd want it. If you back the pinion out a little it will probably increase your backlash. If you have your carrier bearing preload where you like it you should be able to just move shims from one side to the other to get your backlash back where you want it and keep the preload the same.

Not the best pics, but here's what the pattern looked like on my D30:

 

The cover is on and its back under the Jeep so only time will tell.:driving:

Posi, to me your pattern looks deep as well but it could be the angle of the photo.

I decided to go with the slightly deeper pattern based on feedback from not only this thread but this one as well:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/general-4x4-discussion/2040786-d44-pattern-check.html

 

My pattern was deep in the coast side, but centered on the drive side. But I think we're splitting hairs here. You should be fine.

 

Axle is back in the Jeep and I fired it up last night. The weather was crappy so the initial gear break in drive will have to wait another week or two. Honestly I would have been done a long time ago if I just paid someone to set up the gears.....but now I can say I've done it.