The Cheap Route: Putting a 7.625 in a 7.5 housing

[jetsetw31]

Well, I got some time to to finish disassembling the rear. I removed the axle bearings, pinion races, and cleaned the inside of the housing.
I used a 6ft pipe from the local Home Depot to knock out the bearings. I just used spray Engine cleaner to clean out the oil. Then I used some rags in the tubes to push out any debris in there.

 

[jetsetw31]

New carrier bearings are installed. The original new bearings that came in the kit, were installed on a G80 carrier that I decided not to use. These bearings are Timkens which matched what was in the kit. I used a pinion bearing that I ground open to loosely fit the new pinion for set up purposes. All broken bearing pieces went in my scrap bucket. Next will be axle bearing install and pinion and carrier set up.

 

[jetsetw31]

Ok, I installed the axle bearings, seals and the pinion races using a 20 buck install tool from eBay, also using the old bearings and races to to assist the install. Used my ARP bearing cap studs, and then I put the gears in for set up. I use the shims kit to baseline the ring gear pattern. Turns out the pinion needs to be shimmed. I look in the kit, no pinion shims. I call all of the parts stores, most have to order the shims some don't carry them at all. O'Reilly had the best price (under 10 bucks.)
So, I'm on hold till Tuesday.

 

[ham1974]

Ok, I installed the axle bearings, seals and the pinion races using a 20 buck install tool from eBay, also using the old bearings and races to to assist the install. Used my ARP bearing cap studs, and then I put the gears in for set up. I use the shims kit to baseline the ring gear pattern. Turns out the pinion needs to be shimmed. I look in the kit, no pinion shims. I call all of the parts stores, most have to order the shims some don't carry them at all. O'Reilly had the best price (under 10 bucks.)
So, I'm on hold till Tuesday.
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Is there a significant benefit to adding the bearing cap studs?

 

[jetsetw31]

Is there a significant benefit to adding the bearing cap studs?

ARP studs are far far superior to the factory bolts. In my case, using these studs strengthens my rear just short of having a girdle. It's similar to why engine builders using ARP bolts on piston connecting rods to ensure the caps stay in place. The girdle is the ultimate in keeping rear end caps in place mainly due to the weakness in the factory bolts at peak cap stress. The fact is that the caps are stronger than the factory bolts and the bolts will fail before the caps.
The ARP studs cost me under 30 bucks and the girdle for the 7.5 / 7.625 was about 140 bucks.
T

 

[jetsetw31]

OK, I got the pinion shims and corrected the contact pattern as close as I could. I was told the drive is good and the coast will be fine. Any insights?
T

 

[jetsetw31]

After removing and measuring the shims it took to get that last pattern and to avoid using too many small shims, I created the right sizes out of some stepped shims using only one small shim on the driver's side and two small shims on the pass side. Preloaded the pinion and installed the gears in it's final assembly. Next will be the backing plates clean up and install, then the Locker install with the Moser axles.

 

[jetsetw31]

Got the brake backing plates on, set up the axles, and then started to install the Auburn locker. A bit tricky, but I was able to get it in.

 

[olds307 and 403]

You will love the gearing upgrade. When I went from 2.56 to 3.42 with a no slip. I remember the maiden voyage behind the Olds 403. I thought what is that burning smell, it was my tires😎, 1/2 throttle could leave rubber.

 

[jetsetw31]

I filled it with oil and checked for proper unlock and lock engagements. All is good. It's buttoned up and ready for install. (Now if it would only stop raining!🙁)