Thanks for all the feedback. From what I'm getting, it that no one had done this themselves.

I hope I'm not setting myself up for failure. To me, it just seems too easy. I mean it's only 2 gears, bearings and shims right? Count the number of shims on each side of the carrier, add that number of shims to each side with the new gears. Measure the pinion ring bearing depth on the old setup, place the bearing at the same depth on the new setup. Mark the gears with marking compound, check the pattern for an even mesh, and I'm done right? I mean as far as the setup?

Am I making too much light of this? Am I missing something? The way parts catalogs and websites advertise gears, they make it seem like almost anyone can do it.

O well, I'll keep checking around. Thanks for all your input.

Cheers all

 

Fuzzy Math: GM/Motive Gears $195 + Install Kit $89.95 +TA Cover $154.95 + Stud Kit $24.95 + Whale Sperm (Gm Additive) $7 + Redline Gear Lube (2x) $7.95ea = $487

Make sence now????

And I'm pretty sure it's Motive that actually makes GM's gears. There's very few actual gear manufacturer's out there. Many of them are just re-packaging of someone else's parts.

 

Ok. I see your figures now, including the TA girdle. What's the girdle for anyway? I don't believe I'd put a girdle, bra or anything else like that on my wheels. Afterall its not a chick car.

And I guess the Motive would be less expensive than the OEM gears. Most aftermarket gears are going to be cheaper. Not to say that Motive isn't as good. JMHO.

 

What's the girdle for?

To renforce the Bearing caps in the rear-end. It keeps them from deflecting and breaking. It's supossed to help the 7.5" weak POS rear hold up to a little more abuse before failure.

 

Regarding dealer installed gears...

I had the dealer replace my original 3.23 in my previous '94 Z28 with new OEM gears after they were misteriously making noise.

They howled slightly on deceleration and refused to fix it saying it was normal.

If I had gears installed, I would pick a gear specialty shop--someone who really knows their $hit.

 

just dont get used

 

I thought I read this a little while back. Any truth to it or was it something used a long time ago but not used now?

 

I went from 2.73's (I think that's what they were) to 3.42's which included a carrier change back in '95 on my '94 A4. It was done by LG Motorsports, a specialty shop. Never had a single problem and those gears have over 150,000 miles on them. Getting ready to go w/ Richmond 3.73's and plan to have them done by a specialty shop, the mechanic races a super gas class Nova w/ Richmond racing gears. He does all of his own work and has been very successful. Gear swaps need to be done by someone who really knows what they are doing; it is NOT a backyard deal, IMO. You may have good luck w/ a dealer, but I think it's a crap shoot unless you know the people and they know (and care about) your car. The guy doing my gears has done all of the major installs (cam, etc) on my car and really takes pride in his work (and my car). Yes, it will cost me more (around $300-350), but I have complete confidence it will be done right. It pays to develop a relationship w/ someone that knows their stuff and your car. Good Luck!!

 

well i an bot sure but didn't some camaro's come with 3.42 or 3.73 in the 7.5 rearend
i mean my caprice's 7.5 came with 3.08 didn't some camaro's come with 3.42 or 3.73 and i think the corvette zo6 came with 3.73 why not just change the diff or go to the junkyard and try to get the rearend with the gears you want?

 

Uhm.... you need to do some more research before you post about this....

The 93-02 F-Body rearend, the lowers gear ratio available was the 3.42. Most people want to get a 3.73 or 4.10 ratio gearsetup.

Swaping a caprice rearend is a joke... because they won't even fit. The Corvette rearend... well seeing they have IRS that'a REALLY great conversion to do to a F-body, although a fully built Moser 12 Bolt would be 1/3 the price.

I realize that you didn't know this... but it normal knowledge to those of us with these weak POS 7.5" rearends...

 

well i guess i learn something everyday,i really didn't mean to suggest that swapping a caprice rearend in a camaro would work
because i know that they wont work

 

i went with GM motive gears from www.thunderracing.com and could not be happier. i had richmond gears and and chipped a tooth. stay away from richmond if u dont like NOISE. JMO