i'm gonna install some 3.73's on my brothers stock 94Z 10 bolt with the 2.73's. people say that i will have to put them on and take them off about 15 times to get them right. is this true or do i have to do it less times? and are they real hard to do? i have all the shims and everthing that goes with the gears. let me know.

 

You may want to try the right section of the forum...im sure a mod will move it anyway

 

Yes, if you have all the right tools to measure backlash and stuff, you may need to install and remove the carrier and/or pinion several times.

 

If you have never done it before then I would definately think about hiring someone to do it for you. What would be even better is if they will let you watch while they do it (heh sounds dirty).

Because you need special tools, and it is so important to get your bearing preload, and backlash setup perfectly so that they will last and run right it is best to let someone with experience do it and teach you. It is worth the extra money to do it right the first time.

 

You are going tdo more then take them off if use the 3:73 gears with 2-series 2:73 carrier.

 

You can get 3.73's to fit a 2-series carrier . Let's just hope that's what buddy's brother got .

As far as installing the gears, the "specialty" tools you'll need are a Dial Indicator to measure the backlash once the gears are in, and a Micrometer to measure the thickness of the various shims you've got to know what thickness they all are and figure out which ones to use and where (that's the part that can take a few attempts, is adding/removing some shim to move the carrier left/right to get the backlash set correctly).

Also, you're supposed to set the drag on the pinion by using an inch-pound torque wrench (I believe it's supposed to be ~20 - 22 inch-pounds of drag). You CAN set it by "feel" (basically, that it turns smooth and easy, but doesn't just spin "free" if you give it a good spin).

It's not an impossible job for a "do-it-yourselfer", but it could be tricky for a first-timer . I've seen/done enough that I'm pretty comfortable with it now .

 

I hope he has the correct gears for the 2-series or he going to in for a big surprise.

 

You CAN get a 1/4" spacer if he got 3-series 3.73's . It's not "recommended", but it's an option.

 

God I would kill to have Keliente install my gears while I watch!! She is the worlds most perfect woman in my opinion. Loves F-Bodys, Vettes, hot wings, and can set gears by feel, all while looking good doing it. What a girl!

You can check out her gear install here: http://www.keliente.com/gears.htm its like car guy ****! But with a classy lady.

 

^ ^ I've seen that name (Keliente) but not sure who she is?? Care to enlighten me??

 

http://www.keliente.com/me1.htm

Go there there is a nice bit of history and some pictures. She is on this board and several others. She is with PCM4Less, turns wrenches, gets dirty, loves F-Bodys and Vettes. She not only knows them in and out but is an car guy (godess) at heart as well. She races, does cruises, helps ppl out online, drinks beer, eats hot wings, and works on her own stuff. She even has her own web site dedicated to her love of F-Bodies and Vettes.

/me *sigh* She is hillarious to boot!!!

She is so impressive in knowledge and is very easy on the eyes too. They broke the mold after her cause she is about as perfect as a girl can be in my book. She is taken though, I hope that he knows just how lucky he is!!

 

Dang...I was hoping she would read this and say "Godspeed you're the greatest!! I would love to come to your house and install your gears while you watch, I will even pay for it all!!"

Oh well I guess I can atleast she her doing it on her how to page while I install them myself.