how do yall guys opinions vary on these???
i hear alota people say for the stock 10 bolt to use gm gears because there best...or is it just the person that sets them up...or are they weak...
im planing on 4.10 in an a4 car...hehe thats goana be fun...worried of tranny handeling the torque though...
my car RARELY sees the freeway is the only reason im considering and 18x9 or 18x11 zr1 with tires will keep the rpm reasonable on the freeway...
Daniel

 

My opinion of Richmond gears varies!! Here's why:

For the summer of 2003, I had Richmond 3.73's in my car. They whined really bad, and I had the diff apart at least 3 times to try and quiet them down (you know, just "tweak" the shimming one way or another) but to no avail. At the time, I just went back to my stock 2.73's.

LAST summer (2004) I installed Richmond 4.10's (yes, with the A4) and they're almost as quiet as my factory 2.73's were. There is the slightest audible gear noise under acceleration, but it's barely noticeable (especially when you factor in the Flowmaster exhaust and the stereo) and while cruising they're perfectly quiet.

SO, from my own experience, and others' experience, it seems that it's "hit-and-miss" with Richmonds. However, they're strong gears, and if you want a gear set to stand up to abuse, they're probably a good bet (as good as you can get for the 7.5" 10-bolt ). Also, for 1/4 mile running (or just light-to-light), they work great with the A4.

 

Go with factory or US instead of Richmond. Run 4.11's (9-37) instead of 4.10's (10-41), the odd number pinion is stronger. No one knows why, but they are

 

Go with factory or US instead of Richmond. Run 4.11's (9-37) instead of 4.10's (10-41), the odd number pinion is stronger. No one knows why, but they are.