Forget backlash, check pattern?

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Feb 7, 2005 | 10:09 PM

derek_silvy

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Forget backlash, check pattern?

I work at Autozone and have been asking coworkers where I can get a magnetic base dial indicator. A regular customer and mechanic came in and I asked him. He thought and said he wasn't sure, then asked what I was doing and told him that I was putting in a posi. He then told me that whever he sets up gears he doesn't check the backlash, but just checks the pattern on the ring gear with marking compound to make sure it looks good. He said that he hasn't had a problem in just doing it that way.

Thoughts?

Feb 7, 2005 | 10:47 PM

BOWTIE

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From: AUSTIN TX

You need to do both. You set the pattern (for the most part) with pinion shims which moves the pinion in or out. Then you set your backlash with shims on the side of the carrier, this moves the carrier right or left to increase or decreas the clearance between the teeth of the gears.

Feb 7, 2005 | 10:50 PM

lifted99

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I agree. You must do both. I noticed that Summit had a cheap tool to this with, something like 30-40 bucks. Most I have seen are $100 or more.

Feb 7, 2005 | 11:06 PM

derek_silvy

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tool?

As in a magnetic base dial indicator?

Feb 8, 2005 | 09:39 AM

mzoomora

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From: Chicago, Il

Backlash is one of the most important measurements. I had a guy tell me he could set thm up by feel, and he had tons of experience. He swore he could feel the difference between .008 and .012, so we tested him. One of the rears was at .016 or something close to that.