Gear Pattern.... yay or nay??

[500/600]

Great info guys! Really, thank you all so much. 500/600, i am not adjusting backlash with the pinion shim sir. Bonnewagon has given me a ton of info prior to starting this and was very specific on how to adjust what and in what order, so I am following that to a "T". And you are correct in saying the OE 3:73 gears that I haved do not have thge depth marked on them, or a + or - either. I measured the pinion depth with a tool from RATECH. It is primitive, but I measured it multiple, multiple times before I removed the original pinion gear. And all the measurments were within .002 of each other. I put the pinion shim back in that came with the pinion gear, pinion bearing preload is at .020 in lbs, have the carrier set at .000 and backlash set at .010. Bearing caps torqued to 65 ft. lbs, just waiting on the compound now. As soon as I get a good, visible pattern I will put up a pic or 2 and get ypur feedback. I really appreciate all you guys's advice and wisdom.

If you measured the original pinion depth with a ratech tool, and if you put it back to the same check distance, and if the backlash is even close, and if the original pattern was good, then the exercise with the compound is totally unnecessary.

This was my last comment and really do wish you the best.

 

[Bullett801]

"have the carrier set at .000".? .... 🤔

Sorry, I should have clarified better... .000 is where I was advised to set it up at (meaning not even a .001 feeler gauge can be inserted between bearing and shims) so on the final assembly I add .004 to each side for carrier bearing preload without changing any specs. If I do it correctly.....

 

[Bullett801]

If you measured the original pinion depth with a ratech tool, and if you put it back to the same check distance, and if the backlash is even close, and if the original pattern was good, then the exercise with the compound is totally unnecessary.

This was my last comment and really do wish you the best.

I appreciate all your advice and knowledge 500/600! I will put up a final assmbly pic and you can either pray for me or smile knnowing the advice and knowledge ya provided helped get it done right!

 

[Bullett801]

I like to get it real close with the mock up bearings. Then after you get all your tolerances and backlash set, press your pinion bearing on and check your preload. Add a shim or take away a shim. May only need .003. But like I said, much nicer than a crush sleeve. You’re going down the right path. Great job.

Thanks for the advice and knowledge 1983calais! I am pretty sure it dosen't use shims though, it is called a "Smart Sleeve" and according to the description and installation instructions, I install it pretty much like a crush sleeve, but it is suppose to be "better" than a OE crush sleeve. Have you or anyone used or heard of this particular component? Thoughts?

Smart Sleeve

www.ratechmfg.com

 

[pontiacgp]

Sorry, I should have clarified better... .000 is where I was advised to set it up at (meaning not even a .001 feeler gauge can be inserted between bearing and shims) so on the final assembly I add .004 to each side for carrier bearing preload without changing any specs. If I do it correctly.....

I never worry about that and I would never be able to fit any shims after the carrier is in position, once it's in to remove it I need a pry bar

 

[1983calais]

Thanks for the advice and knowledge 1983calais! I am pretty sure it dosen't use shims though, it is called a "Smart Sleeve" and according to the description and installation instructions, I install it pretty much like a crush sleeve, but it is suppose to be "better" than a OE crush sleeve. Have you or anyone used or heard of this particular component? Thoughts?

Smart Sleeve

www.ratechmfg.com

I used the crush sleeve eliminator from Yukon. It uses shims to set bearing preload. Never heard of the smart sleeve. Sounds like another version of a crush sleeve. As long as the preload is set, your good.

 

[Bullett801]

I know you guys wanted the yellow compound but the builder in my little town only had blue, so I mixed it with some gear oil and tried to thin it out to get a decent pattern. The bare metal is the wear pattern. As always I greatly value your opinions and input guys! I hope I get some good feedback! Lol. Def agree that having patience is a must when setting up gears!! Thanks again everyone who has helped me along the way!!

 

[pontiacgp]

that looks better, what is the backlash?

 

[Bullett801]

that looks better, what is the backlash?

.012 and took the pinion shim thickness to .020. Had backlash at .010 and Put the original pinion shim in at first and the pattern had really deep/low contact at the root and heal and on the drive side. Took a shot and went dramatic on the pinions shim thickness and slight increase on backlash and think it looks good. Thanks for the input gp!!!

 

[Bonnewagon]

Much, much better. As per the 1978 Pontiac manual: tighten bearing caps to 55 ft lbs, expand brake shoes so that 40-50 ft lbs torque is required to turn the pinion nut, unloaded gears will not give a good pattern. Turn pinion one full revolution, then turn back the other way one revolution. Under this light load the contact pattern will extend only about halfway. Under heavy loads the pattern will spread out. Under very heavy loads the pattern will extend from near toe to near heel on the drive side and be broader between the tops and bottoms of the teeth. The most important thing is that the contact pattern is centrally located up and down the face of the gear teeth. So don't look for the whole face of the gear to be wiped clean under very little load. The recommended backlash is .006"- .008". .012" is a bit big and remember that it will only grow larger with use- never smaller. Great going- you are almost there.