SScam68

iTrader: (20)

As the title states, how much play are the internal gears on a torsen suppose to have? I would imagine pretty tight but.....

The other night I made a hard U-turn to the left and started to hear popping coming from the rear. Almost sounded like teeth were jumping, this doesn't happen on hard right hand turns.

I just put some 4.10's and haven't actually been easy on them, running Nittos as well. I've got well over 2k miles on the gears. I put her up on stands this morning to see what it could be. All the teeth are there but haven't had a chance to check gear pattern, was textbook perfect when I set them up, as well as backlash, also set at .006 at initial setup and zero lateral endplay.

The backlash seems to be fine although again I haven't actually checked it with a dial indicator but the one thing that I did notice was the play between the carrier and the axles when I turned the wheel. I can physically see wear and some chips on the teeth of the worm gears inside the carrier, and there is A LOT of play. I'm gonna venture to say as much as 1 to 2 hundred thou. I can see the gears shifting around inside the carrier when I rotate the wheels back and forth. I would imagine they aren't suppose to do that.

I have a funny feeling it's on its way out just need someone to confirm it.

Are the diffs rebuildable?

Input from personal experience would be greatly appreciated.

Frank

Krab

iTrader: (28)

Popping noises in the rear are never a good sign. I would imagine it's on it's way out. Did you have a pretty good amount of material on the cover magnet when you took it off? I know they are rebuildable, but it would probably be less expensive to just buy a used/new one than to get all the tools and rebuild kit to rebuild the carrier.

SScam68

iTrader: (20)

Actually yes I did but what skews that is carrier bearings decided to go out on me awhile ago. The bearings on one side were pitted. When I pulled the cover the magnet was totally covered in shavings. I bought the gears, cover and diff. rebuild kit all at the same time. There are still shavings that are coming from the diff. everytime I change the oil. The wear on the gears looks pretty good.

I guess I'll start calling around and see what its going to cost to have someone rebuild it, or as you suggested just buy a new one.

At this point I don't care to put any money into the 10 bolt anymore. It's pretty much pointless especially considering what I have in store for the future.

FWIW since I put the gears in I have gotten some wheel hop, especially when power shifting. I think that has played a part in the demise of the carrier. I've also got some 50-60 passes on slicks at the track dumping at 6+K (4.10's haven't seen any track time, didn't have chance before the track closed ).

Thanks for your input, anyone else?

Krab

iTrader: (28)

I'm surprised it took so much abuse in the first place. 6K clutch dumps? Poor 10-bolt.

keliente

iTrader: (22)

sscam I'm not sure if anyone rebuilds them or not. It may just be better to buy a new carrier for $500 or so, most of them come warranteed anyway.

SScam68

iTrader: (20)

Well the verdict is in. Its definitely the carrier. I found small chunks of metal at the bottom of the housing. The pic of the gears is really blurry, it was getting dark, but you can kinda see where the gear teeth have been worn away. The ring and pinion look really good, nothing wrong with them other than the backlash being loosened up. But thats easily fixable.

I think what happened is when the material from the pitted bearings got lose the debris floated through the teeth and just worked on them and wore them thin. With the wheel hop caused from the gears the thin teeth just broke off.

I also measured the play on the internal carrier gears and I was getting readings of ~25 thou. .

Pics have been attached.

99M6Z28

iTrader: (8)

Damn, I am currently experienceing the same sound when only turning left. Also it is only when I have the clutch pushed in. If I have a load on it; it doesnt make the sound. Let me know what you do with the situation and WHAT IT COSTS!

V8_DSM_V8again

I'd replace it with a detroit trutrac.. We beat the fn shizzle out of those in 4x4 trucks and they stay in one piece..

SScam68

iTrader: (20)

Funny you mention it, I was going to inquire about that diff.

Same as the torsen though right? No clutches, just gears.

V8_DSM_V8again

http://www.tractech.com/docs/DetroitTruetrac04.pdf
Exploded view here.

Its built a little beefier than a tosen.. Its tourque bias is'nt as high.. A higher number will put more tq to the 1 wheel with more grip before it kicks into limit slip mode.. Which is almost locker like but a smoother engagement.


http://www.torsen.com/products/T-2.htm

The T-2 is the model that GM axles get.. Their is also a T-2 race master... Its on that site too...

I have seen the short end of the side gear teeth strip on a wheeling rig...

dailydriver

There's NO question the Truetrac is better/beefier than the T2 Torsen, but the jury's still out as to whether it is stronger than a T2R. It certainly has less bias than a T2R, but it might (probably will??) hold together better for hard drag strip launches. All of this may be moot anyway, as I've heard (is it correct?) that they are stopping production on Truetracs for 10 bolts, and you cannot now (and probably never will be able to) get a T2R for a 12 bolt. Therefore it will be quite difficult to compare the two.