Okay, I got my 3:42's (the whole rear end, drum to drum), and it's an open carrier. I know I want to put a posi unit in, and I have a couple of questions:

Should I go with an Eaton posi or a Powertrax unit? They are both in the same price range, but which would be better?

and

If I just pull out the carrier, would I need to readjust the pinion depth or not...that part just makes me nervous....

Thanks in advance for lending me some advice!

:rockon:

 

There's no reason to pull the pinion out (unless there's slack in the bearing.) As long as you keep the shims straight and put them back on the same side of the carrier that they came from you'll be fine.

 

Good, that's exactly what I wanted to hear. Any suggestions of a good posi to go with? I've heard all the SLP ones...but I'm on a very tight budget, and it will be like wringing blood from a stone just to get a posi unit....let alone the axles to go with...



here's a pic of what it looks like right now....

 

and.......

 

I vote for the posi unit over the Powertrax. I've seen the effects of a Powertrax, and wasn't pleased. In fact, we took it back out and replaced it with a posi...

good luck,

 

i very much like my eaton posi.

since i auto-x, the locker wasn't even a consideration for me, but if you are going for straight line only, it could be a good choice, but i have no experiance with one. but if you are concered about corning, and traction a good posi unit like the eaton is a good choice.

 

Good advice. My car is my only car and daily driver, so I bet the Eaton would be my choice then. Do they last long, and are the rebuildable when and if they wear out?? And can a normal guy with a decent set of tools swap one out while it's in the car? Thankx....

And I do want to corner well, so Powertrax is out.

 

yes they are rebuildable. as for how long they last, i have only had mine in for about 3k miles now, but eaton posi's have been around forever, so i assume they are fairly durable

 

If you pull the carrier and replace it with another carrier, you can't just re-use the existing shims. You must set the back lash and bearing preload by using different thickness shims. This involves using a dail indicator and mag base.

If you have the hand tools and the indicator you can accomplish this with the axle still in the car. It's a pain, but can be done.

Do a search on this subject. It's been covered very well.

 

Thank you, alloy, I'll do that.