Diff bearing Pre-load

[Garth]

I'm in the process of a re-bearing of my diff and need information on setting the pinion preload. The diff unit is a shim adjustment type but what do I set it to please.

[Pete Lewis]

I think it wise to advise getting a proper workshop manual before you tackle this
you are entering specialised experience zone,, just how much are you planing to strip down,, if its just the pinion then the height of the  thrust bearing abute face must be identical to that which is removed (  it controlls the pinion mounting distance),, setting the pre load on the pinion is done by add or removal of the outer shims
but you need the specification to work to....get a book or give to reliable reconditioner
you could be lucky or blasted noisy....all the best  peter

[Garth]

I'm a Diesel machanic and I have reconed a few diffs in the course of my job, which is why I realise the importance of the correct set-up. I've re-bearinged the Pinion, carrier and 1/4 shafts (and fitted new seals through-out). In the absense of better information I set the preload at 5 pounds/Foot, which seemed to be a fraction more than a spare unit I measured.(an allowence for wear) A small reshuffle of the shims was required to re-introduce the tooth pattern that existed before dismantling but all now seems well. As you have noted It may end up noisey If this happens I will just do it agin.
  The service manual I have is vary vague in the area of the diff and only covers seal and 1/4 shaft bearing replacements. Thankyou for your reply Pete It seems that this information is deemed beyond the normal scope of an entheusiest and not so easily obtainable.
I guess I'll find out soon how close my guesses were.

[Garth]

Thanks for that steve, I think I'll add another shim to bring it within tollarences better.

[Garth]

Thanks, I picked it for 6-16 and was going to aim at 10-12.

[Pete Lewis]

glad you have to info to proceed,, and the enthusiasm and experience to tackle it
its hard to find these days,,im of on holidays hope it all works out well  let us all know
42 years in truck manufacture and engineering meant you had to know everything from the towing eye to the drainplug I hope things have calmed down a bit from the early days of high pressure injection technology with back up being an irish farmer filling up with fuel from a wooden barrel  caused caos,, dont things move on quickly these days     have fun  peter

[Garth]

Ta Peter, For me things have moved sideways, in that now I'm into hydraulics. The place I work for designs and builds Heavy-haul trailers, House Removal trailers etc.(I design and install the hydraulic systems, write operations manuals and train customers. )  Tinkering with the spitty is stress relief.

[Pete Lewis]

how about a taillift for a vitesse ???  peter