I've never tackled a rear end before, so I've been looking for someone to assist me in the job that has done one. Finally found someone.

What all items am I going to need for the job

1. SLP/GM posi pull out (have)
2. gm 3.42 used gearset. (have)
3. Gear lube, should I go syn? what weight?
4. GM posi addative, anyone got a part number?
5. Shim kit, assume I can get at napa, zone, etc? Anyone got a part number?
6. Axle seals
7. Pinion seal
8. Silicone for the cover


Anything I'm missing, any suggestions. How many hours should I expect this to take?

 

Get a complete install kit from Randy's Ring & Pinion at www.ringpinion.com

NAPA will not have the shims, neither will GM most likely. The Randy's kit will have all the shims, bearings, races, crush collar, pinion nut, gear marking compound, etc. It will also have their setup book which is priceless. This will greatly help walk you through the setup process. It has lots of pictures and explains things well.

For setup you will need a dial indicator and a magnetic base, as well as a micrometer accurate to .0005". A spare set of pinion bearings is a good idea too. Take a Dremel and grind the ID out until they slip fit on the pinion. Use them for setup and then press on the permenant ones once you get the right pattern and estabilish the correct shims.

I'd stay away from used gears personally. They never seem to set up right. A brand new set is about $160 from Randy's. Lots of guys here have complained about whining and bad patterns with used gears.

Time? About a day probably. That's how long my first one took. Now it's usually 2 hours. Take your time and do it right the first time. It will take you a while to develop a feel for it. Once you've got that the time it takes goes way down.

I'd break the rear in with regular gear oil for about 500 miles, then change to synthetic. Amsoil 80W90 is what I prefer. You can get the limited slip addative from a GM dealer, or Pep Boys/NAPA. I've seen recently that they are carrying the addative.

 

How much is that kit? I planned on for the next 4 weeks tell this guy has time, to nickle dime the parts I need.

the person helping me has done all this before, and said we would need to do it at his house due to tools need. I feel he will more then likely have whatever tools needed.

Used gears is what I have, I can not afford 160 bux for another set.

Thanks for letting me know pepboys n napa having the addative, as well as gear weight.

 

The master install kit is $100 I think. You won't get the bearings and other parts cheaper buying them seperately either. Randy's is the best thing going cost wise. They will meet or beat anyone price.

If your installer has never set up used gears before tell him to pay particular attention to the coast side pattern. The drive side is not nearly as important with a used set. I understand the cost constraints. We all operate under them in one form or another.

 

i'll second the "buy an install kit" you won't find shims at the local parts store. you don't need a PN for the posi additive, gm only sells one kind. i wouldn't run used gears, especially if you don't know where they were set at before they were removed.

 

Much thanks both of you.

Used set is what I got, so it has to go in. Will let him know about the coast side of the gears.

100 I will see if I can swing tommorow on payday