Is it the housing for everything? I often get confused by this, rear ends are my wek point. If I have a series 2 carrier now, what do i need to make the swap to a series 3? I need help asap because i am getting noise from my bearings or differential. Thanks!

 

The carrier is the machined casting that the ring gear bolts to and the clutches (or cones), springs, and spider gears fit in to. The difference in carrier series 2,3,4 is the location of the ring gear bolting flange on the casting. I believe a 4 series ring gear flange is closer to the pinion than a 3 series, and a 3 series is closer than a 2.

Hope I've helped

Steve

 

The carrier is the "unit" on the left
PIcture

 

Thanks fellas, I appreciate the fast responses!

 

Tell me that isn't your Dog's dinner. Talk about strong teeth.

 

he wants the pinion not my dog anyway

 

One last question before I order my gears.....which one will give me the best performance for my TPI 3.23's or 3.42's and who makes the best posi unit Auburn, Eaton, SLP,???? I'm up grading to a series 3 carrier.

 

I remember when i asked this same question....i got so much crap....

But now for your question. If you already have a posi unit and it's a 2 series carrier you don't have to get a 3 series carrier for a 3 series gear. If you stick the posi on end and measure up to the ring gear mounting flange you get the following measurement (using a tape measure)

2 series = 5 1/4"
3 series = 4 7/8"

The 3-series carrier locates the ring gear about .400" closer to the pinion since the higher ratio pinion necessarily has a smaller diameter than the gas mileage 2-series one.

A 3 series gear can be made to fit a 2 series carrier using a spacer, but it doesn't work the other way around. So just go get a spacer and throw it in between the gear and mounting flange. Then all you have to do it buy the gears and mount them. Hope this helped and didn't confuse you more.


ShibbyZ

 

Where can I buy the spacers? How much do they usually cost?

 

Should I replace the posi unit along with the bearings and gears? I don't want to spend unnecessary money if I don't have to. I am asking because I replaced ther bearings about 3 yrs ago and the noise from the rear has started again.