I've got the Dana 70 all together with an excellent pattern and the preload bang on too....just waffling with regard to the backlash and am seeking opinions. The Dodge Service manual recommends .004-.009, I've got .006. Motive Gear which is the aftermarket ring and pinion I bought recommends .008-.012. If I have to add more backlash I have to destroy the side bearings to transfer shims. Do I stick with the Dodge spec or Motive Gear spec?

 

You might try a thousandth or so less pinion shim on the deapth. See if the pattern still is acceptable.

Try something first. Take a heavy dead mallet or a hammer and block of soft wood and hit the ring towards the drivers side in a couple of places to make sure it is seated good. You are so close. How is your preload on the carrier? You might just loose a thousandth from the drivers side and not have to mess with the other side.

I know what I would do, but can't tell you to do that. On mine I would chance it, break it in for a longer period. But I have lost a couple of them over the years too. It's a chance thing, are you feeling lucky?

 

I was thinking of that HID, not the luck, but taking a thou or two out of the pinion, I added .005 to bring the pattern in, and it did, so maybe I will try and find a happy medium. With the new side bearings and races the preload is tighter than before, but I didn't need a case spreader to put it in, a few taps with a deadblow hammer was all it took. So I could lose a thou on the dvrs side at the cost of only one bearing, I will try the pinion depth adj first.

Thanks!

 

If it was me, I would leave it alone.

 

You should be able to pull the bearing without destroying it.

 

I would button it up and use a multi-grade synthetic lube, like RedLine, and check the temperature after a pull. I use the tighter settings myself, but always use synthetic lube, and have absolutely no problems.

 

I've got some Amsoil 80W90 with some friction modifier if needed, the consensus seems to be leave it....thanks all.

Mcmopar, if you no of a way, please tell.... there is nothing to grab between the brg race and the hub of the carrier. Perhaps you could force a bearing seperator in there and destory the shims, but having talked to Pro Trac Gear, they said the same thing, the bearing will be toasted...