Ok I just got a used 3.73 drum rear end and want to make su re I am not getting screwed. How can you tell what the ratio is by looking at the gears? If any one has a set of 3.73 laying around how many teath on the ring gear and how meny on the pinion gear? Also how hard is it to pull the axle shafts? I need to do this so I can pull my breaks off the old rear end and slap them on the new one. Any help would be greatly apprechiated

 

3.73 gears are 11 on the pinion and 41 on the ring. 41/11 = 3.7272727272 etc. 41:11 will be stamped on the edge of the ring gear.

To pull the axles, rotate the carrier until you see the little bolt in the pass side of it. It's a 5/16" head. Use a 6-point 5/16" box end wrench ONLY!!!! If you don't have one, go to Sears and buy one. Take out the bolt; the cross shaft (pin about ¾" diameter) will slide out; push in an axle, the C-clip will fall out, then pull the axle out; push in the other axle, its C-clip will fall out, slide it out.

It's the perfect opportunity to change the axle bearings and seals. To do that, use a 6' long piece of ¾" or 1" electrical conduit; stick it all the way through the axle tubes, and catch it on the back side of the bearing; and bonk it with a BFH. The bearing and the seal will pop right out. When you go to put the seal back in, use a block of wood big enough to cover the seal (a 6" piece of 2 x 4 is perfect); and give it one massive whap with a BFH. DO NOT try to tap it on around the edge, YOU WILL distort the seal and it WILL leak. If the place on the axles where the bearing ride isn't absolutely perfect, get some new (used) ones.

 

Thanks so much thats what i have stamped on my ring gear. I got it for 350 bucks do you thing I got screwed? The brakes are messed up thats why I need to pull the axle shafts.