Ive been checking around and the cheapest gear installer in my area is 200$. I was flipping throught summit and found a pinion depth gauge for 99$. What other special tools would I need to install the gears myself.

I have a 28 spline 10 bolt and a 26 spline 10 bolt im setting up. So I could probably save myself money If i knew how.

The 28 spline is getting a slp posi and 3.42 gears (since im getting a th350) that will be the everyday street rear-end/winter rear.

I am going to get some 4.10 gears and a mini spool for the 26 spline. This will be for the 1/8th mile strip nearby. Ill probably be running some drag radials on it to.

anyways I just need to know what tools I need and Im gonna get some books or find websites and try it myself. I watched a HP TV episode and they did a gear swap...really didnt look bad if you got the tools.

 

It's really not that hard. The pinion depth checker; a dial indicator for measuring back lash; a tool for holding the yoke still while you turn the big nut (I use a piece of about ¼" x 1½" x 48" strip stock with 2 holes drilled along the edge); a micrometer or caliper; that's about it.

 

How much money total do you think I would have to spend for all the tools I need. Well "instruments" and gauges I need. And do you know of anyplace that sells everything maybe as a kit so I can get everything?

All I saw at summit was the pinion depth checker. I have no idea what all the other tools are.

 

RB...can you do swaps? I don't think youd be to far from me. This is 88camaro350 at a buddies house.

Anyways id pay you if you could do it.

 

i'd add a 3/4 drive tool and socket for the pinion nut, plus a dial type in/lb torque wrench for preload. i made another "special tool" to act as a datum and use a depth mike for setting pinion depth. i wouldn't want to do it with out a puller for carreir bearings and a press and bearing seperator for the pinion bearing. other than that Rb pretty much has it covered. 200 dollars isn't bad price

 

Hey ede...how much you charge lol.

I remember you saying you were afraid Id take you up on the offer.

 

I do my own.

I appreciate the offer, but there's no way I could do one for somebody else; I barely have time to take care of my own business. I'm on the road too much.

Here's a pic to answer your other question. The tool in the foreground is 4' long. I made it this way so that I can bolt it to the yoke with 2 of the U-joint bolts, and still get a socket on the nut. The nut is 1¼".

 

OBTW I'd agree with ede, $200 is about the right price, for a rear that's out of a car. Probably closer to $300 with it in the car.

Don't necessarily go with the cheapest price, go with somebody you can trust. If it screws up it will cost you 3 times that $200 to go back and do it again, for another set of gears, another set of bearings, etc., plus the labor.... again.

 

I install my own as well and the tool list is:

Pinion depth checker
dial indicator
Dial Calipers or micrometer
magnetic base for the dial indicator
bluing ink to check gear contact
torque wrench
3/4" drive and sockets
Shop press and gear separator attachment to pull bearings and ring gear as well as press on new ones...
assorted homemade assistance tools

Pay to have it done unless you have a buddy who does it for a living and can teach you. There are alot of little things a tv show isn't going to cover, and if you do not do it right, the least that can happen is you will have gear whine, the worst is what RB83L69 said- back to the drawing board.

Ask some of your fellow gear heads who is good, NOT who is cheapest. I equate this decision with getting brain surgery- do you want it from Walmart or from the IVY-league Doctor that is well known for his excellent work?

 

Ive been asking around and most places won't even do it. Hell I can't even find a place to weld in subframe connectors around here. I live in a pit.

Guy I am going to has his own shop. He worked at ford for 20 years and he has done alot of rear-gear swaps in mustangs around. Ive been asking around and most the mustang guys ive talked to got him to do them.

Buddy of mine that just moved to north carlonia had his gears in his mustang done by someone he knew. Can't remember who. But the guy only charged 50$ and his richmonds don't make a sound.

 

i'm in the same boat as RB, i'm not home enough to keep up with my own stuff to take on any outside projects