Changing rear gear... Please Answer These Q's
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 135
Changing rear gear... Please Answer These Q's
Im changing the rear gear in my 10 bolt thats in my 95. I know what gear set to get but:
1. Would it be better to pull out the rear end completely just for a gear swap?
2. Are JEG's gear sets any good? I dont ever drag or race, just street and highway use.
3. Richmond gear and other companies sell various kits that have diff. levels of parts included. All my parts are good, this car was pampered by the previous owner. So, what exactly do I need just to replace the gear set? At least bearings/gear-oil I assume.
Thanks,
-Rabid
1. Would it be better to pull out the rear end completely just for a gear swap?
2. Are JEG's gear sets any good? I dont ever drag or race, just street and highway use.
3. Richmond gear and other companies sell various kits that have diff. levels of parts included. All my parts are good, this car was pampered by the previous owner. So, what exactly do I need just to replace the gear set? At least bearings/gear-oil I assume.
Thanks,
-Rabid
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Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,784
From: Rochester Hills, MI
Are you doing the install yourself? If you have no experience seting up a rearend then I would highly recommend let a professional install it. As far as gears go I would recommend going GM Motive or Strange Gears. You will need the following:
Install kit (inlcudes bearings, gaskts, & shims)
Rearend Oil
Posi Additive.
Also you are going to have your computer reprogrammed for the new gear set.
Install kit (inlcudes bearings, gaskts, & shims)
Rearend Oil
Posi Additive.
Also you are going to have your computer reprogrammed for the new gear set.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,667
From: SLC, UT
I will agree with what was said above.. unless you've got or are going to spend the $120 on the required measuring tools alone.
I got the complete GM/Motive kit from Thunder Racing, but I wanted the TA cover as well adn that was the best deal for everything.
If you are trully going to set it up yourself it's easier to setup the gears with the axle outta the car, but it's not fun to remove or install. I've done them both ways.. and it's debatable to which is more of a PITA.
Take your time and reaad all the instructions as well as the instruction in a factory shop manual.. I found out the Motive instructions were laquing in some areas... too bad it cost me a gearset to figure it out.
Some hints on doing it your self:
Relax and have a clean enviornment
TAKE YOUR TIME, do NOT rush the job.
have all the bearing pressed on and off
Measure the pinion depth VERY VERY carefully
Adjust the backlash and Carrier preload to be in the tolerence specified in the Factory manual. This WILL take a few times, last time I did it it took me 4 or 5 tries before it was setup correctly. Also for shim thickness, measure the thickness of both factory shims, and the total thickness for those shims should be equal to the thickness of the shims you put back in, that'll get you very close to your carrier pre-load setting.
Let me know if you've got anymore questions.
I got the complete GM/Motive kit from Thunder Racing, but I wanted the TA cover as well adn that was the best deal for everything.
If you are trully going to set it up yourself it's easier to setup the gears with the axle outta the car, but it's not fun to remove or install. I've done them both ways.. and it's debatable to which is more of a PITA.
Take your time and reaad all the instructions as well as the instruction in a factory shop manual.. I found out the Motive instructions were laquing in some areas... too bad it cost me a gearset to figure it out.
Some hints on doing it your self:
Relax and have a clean enviornment
TAKE YOUR TIME, do NOT rush the job.
have all the bearing pressed on and off
Measure the pinion depth VERY VERY carefully
Adjust the backlash and Carrier preload to be in the tolerence specified in the Factory manual. This WILL take a few times, last time I did it it took me 4 or 5 tries before it was setup correctly. Also for shim thickness, measure the thickness of both factory shims, and the total thickness for those shims should be equal to the thickness of the shims you put back in, that'll get you very close to your carrier pre-load setting.
Let me know if you've got anymore questions.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 135
Thanks W-6! good post. (and all others) I will do just that. 
And i do not have to reset my computer, mine is ripped out and I run a no-smog V8. Also I want Richmond or Jeg's. I don't race, just normal duty, and those other sets are pricey.
Also, could you look at the 3 choices in the richmond install kits and tell me which I need?
-Rabid
And i do not have to reset my computer, mine is ripped out and I run a no-smog V8. Also I want Richmond or Jeg's. I don't race, just normal duty, and those other sets are pricey.
Also, could you look at the 3 choices in the richmond install kits and tell me which I need?
-Rabid
Last edited by RabidDog24; Jul 29, 2003 at 10:11 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,667
From: SLC, UT
I would cough up the extra $ for the Motive or Strange gears... I just payed $160 shipped off Ebay for a set of 4.10 Motives. I have no idea how the Jegs gears are, and I know a LOT of the people who have the richmonds say they whine.
The Ratech kit is a fairly decent install kit. Seeing you're going to tear into the axle that far anyway you may want to replace the axle bearings/seals as well, I did, it's only an extra $10-$15 and maybe 1/2 hour depending on how the old ones come out.
The Ratech kit is a fairly decent install kit. Seeing you're going to tear into the axle that far anyway you may want to replace the axle bearings/seals as well, I did, it's only an extra $10-$15 and maybe 1/2 hour depending on how the old ones come out.
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Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 220
From: South Bend, IN
I don't know why everyone says Richmond gears whine. I've got 3:73's and my father and I installed them. Granted we had the necessary tools, install kit, and so on, being avid gear heads and all. But I've got no whine whatsoever. And my rear end has been completely apart twice since the initial install, and still no whine. Seems to me if they're set up properly, you shouldn't have any problems.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 135
Originally posted by Jon97Z
I don't know why everyone says Richmond gears whine. I've got 3:73's and my father and I installed them. Granted we had the necessary tools, install kit, and so on, being avid gear heads and all. But I've got no whine whatsoever. And my rear end has been completely apart twice since the initial install, and still no whine. Seems to me if they're set up properly, you shouldn't have any problems.
I don't know why everyone says Richmond gears whine. I've got 3:73's and my father and I installed them. Granted we had the necessary tools, install kit, and so on, being avid gear heads and all. But I've got no whine whatsoever. And my rear end has been completely apart twice since the initial install, and still no whine. Seems to me if they're set up properly, you shouldn't have any problems.
-Rabid
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Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 220
From: South Bend, IN
I really can't remember which install kit we bought. We did my gears about 4 years ago. But all I really distinctly remember changing out was the shims. It took a couple of times to get the backlash right per the manual though. It is much easier to do the install with the differential out of the car. It doesn't take long to remove, and it'll save on your backpain and strain. But it does weigh a few pounds, so make sure you have a decent jack under the pig section to catch it and roll it out.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 135
Originally posted by Jon97Z
I really can't remember which install kit we bought. We did my gears about 4 years ago. But all I really distinctly remember changing out was the shims. It took a couple of times to get the backlash right per the manual though. It is much easier to do the install with the differential out of the car. It doesn't take long to remove, and it'll save on your backpain and strain. But it does weigh a few pounds, so make sure you have a decent jack under the pig section to catch it and roll it out.
I really can't remember which install kit we bought. We did my gears about 4 years ago. But all I really distinctly remember changing out was the shims. It took a couple of times to get the backlash right per the manual though. It is much easier to do the install with the differential out of the car. It doesn't take long to remove, and it'll save on your backpain and strain. But it does weigh a few pounds, so make sure you have a decent jack under the pig section to catch it and roll it out.
Well it's about 1/8 tore out already, and w/ all the things attached it looks like a PITA to fix. Besides, I have a lift now. (bought used from old garage that burnt) so why would it be easier to yank-out than keep-in?
Why does everyone take it out? From what I see w/ the cover removed the whole set-up doesn't really look THAT complex. And as far as the bearings go, me dad bought a press way back when. It's just like the "reg. shop press" a damned bottle jack and a I-Beam!! LoL. 
So why did y'all yank it out? No lift? So the shop could do it?-Rabid
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,667
From: SLC, UT
Like I said you can do it in teh car with no problems...
it's just easier when you don't have a lift to remove it from the car to make it easier to work on.
I'm going to be swapping in my new replacement set of gears next weekend without a lift and I'm leaving the rear in the car. Although I'm going to have the back of the car 2' in the air... I love my high-lift jack and jackstands
it's just easier when you don't have a lift to remove it from the car to make it easier to work on.
I'm going to be swapping in my new replacement set of gears next weekend without a lift and I'm leaving the rear in the car. Although I'm going to have the back of the car 2' in the air... I love my high-lift jack and jackstands
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Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,784
From: Rochester Hills, MI
If you have a lift it is alot easier to install gears with the rearend in the car. Make sure to rent a bearing puller to get the old bearings off the carrier and replace them with new ones. Have you or your dad ever installed gears before? Do you have all the proper equipement??
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 135
Originally posted by IDOXLR8
If you have a lift it is alot easier to install gears with the rearend in the car. Make sure to rent a bearing puller to get the old bearings off the carrier and replace them with new ones. Have you or your dad ever installed gears before? Do you have all the proper equipement??
If you have a lift it is alot easier to install gears with the rearend in the car. Make sure to rent a bearing puller to get the old bearings off the carrier and replace them with new ones. Have you or your dad ever installed gears before? Do you have all the proper equipement??
so I'll be going it alone on this one. I have all the tools but any kind of precision measurement tools. All else I have. I have talked to multiple people on this board and other friends/co-workers. So far, what I get is a 50/50 opinion on this:50% ---Nah, no prob, it's not that hard just take your time, and follow instructions
50% ---NOOO! Don't ye dar even open thee case cover, lest ye be cursed to eternal damnation. Get a mechanic lad, and remember's I warned ye!! *maniachel cackle*
LoL, maybe I'll have a horse pull it?
-Rabid
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Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 220
From: South Bend, IN
50% ---Nah, no prob, it's not that hard just take your time, and follow instructions
50% ---NOOO! Don't ye dar even open thee case cover, lest ye be cursed to eternal damnation. Get a mechanic lad, and remember's I warned ye!! *maniachel cackle*
LoL, maybe I'll have a horse pull it?
That made laugh.
Sorry to hear about your dad
If you have the right tools, and some decent mechanical skills, you can do it.
I know there's also some install guides floating around too. I think www.projecttransam.com has a few and Brent's site may have a few too. Just take your time and do it right the first time. Try to cut corners and you'll pay for it later. Good luck.
50% ---NOOO! Don't ye dar even open thee case cover, lest ye be cursed to eternal damnation. Get a mechanic lad, and remember's I warned ye!! *maniachel cackle*
LoL, maybe I'll have a horse pull it?
That made laugh. Sorry to hear about your dad
If you have the right tools, and some decent mechanical skills, you can do it.
I know there's also some install guides floating around too. I think www.projecttransam.com has a few and Brent's site may have a few too. Just take your time and do it right the first time. Try to cut corners and you'll pay for it later. Good luck.
