i plan to install a set of 3.42's this weekend. can you please tell me what else i might need? i think i need this so far:

ring gear spacer
limited slip additive
red line rear-end oil
gasket/silicon
and some type of bearing...pinion bearing?

if you could tell me what else i need that would be awsome!

thanks alot,
steve

 

Steve,
It really depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Are the gears new or used? Is the differential the stock one? What brand of gears? What are the stock gears you have? Include what you have and what you are replacing it with.

Typically with a fresh gear install you will want an install kit. This kit should include shims, pinion and carrier bearings, pinion seal, crush sleeve, marking compund, and a gasket.

A lot of people would recommend new axle bearings and seals, since it will all be apart. Good luck if you've never done it before.

 

From experience I can tell you don't do it unless you know what you are doing. This is not changing you oil!

Don't want to beat up on you, but what you are trying to accomplish is tough. You need special tools and the most important thing: experience.

Go down to a 4 wheel shop and buy a 10 bolt rebuild kit. It will have all the bearings, shims, crush sleeve, gasket, pinion seal. No wheel bearings though (probably wont need to replace them anyway). Next take your gears and the rebuild kit to a shop that you have been referred to and know are good with rear ends.

It should cost you no more than $300 to do it (labor that is). If they set it up wrong, it their fault and you have someone to go to.

I could go on and on. I have done my rear before and this is why I am pushing you away from doing it.

 

i have 2.73's in my car now...and i want it to have more power out of the whole, so i plan to install the 3.42's...they are new and made by richmond. and the rearend is stock!

the install is going to be now big deal, i also plan to put in a new fuel pump at the time.

my reason asking for what parts that i need, is that i heard it or might have miss-read something that it might need a ring gear spacer or something?

but i went today and got rebuild kit for a 10-bolt like you said.

thanks alot,
steve

 

It is a precision job to set up gears, requiring special tools. A dial indicator and a bearing press are the first two that come to mind. It's not just a matter of swapping parts.

 

Just so you know, Richmond gears make the loudest noises of all the gear sets. I would definately stay away from them if you drive the car everyday or even a slight amount, other than drag racing, or if you plan on driving on the highway. You may think you can live with a little gear whine, but trust me, it will eventually drive you nuts and you will want to change them out. Ask me how i know!

 

Do you have 2.73's? I am currently into trying to round of all the parts needed also. I heard that i will need a new posi unit because i am upgrading to a 3 series gear. Is that true guys? Do i need to spend that extra hundred or 2?

 

There is some 3 series gearing that you can get for a 2 series posi unit.
Check with thunder racing.