Ok I am building my 3.73 posi rearend. I was curious since I dont have a press for the pinion bearing I was wondering if it was possible to shim the pinion from under the rear pinion bearing race?

 

no, you have to shim the pinion bearing

 

Ok I will work it that way, I used my original pinion shims to get a starting point. The original shim was a single shim of .070 which is way to much. What would be a good starting point. The reason I asked about placement of the shims is due to an article I read that makes it sound like you could shim from either spot.

http://darcinjected.com/diff_inst.htm#Tool%20List

 

I always start with a .030" shim if I'm setting up a rear that was taken apart and I didn't know what shim was under the bearing stock. That's a good starting place.

I would suggest getting a spare bearing and reaming the ID with a die gringer until it will slip fit on the pinion. Then you can go through the setup to get the pattern right and just press a new bearing onto the pinion for final assembly. Trying to press the bearings on and off can often destroy them even with good clamshells and a lot of press experience. Don't use an old bearing for the test fitting. It will be worn and could give you false readings. You have to use a new bearing and get it to slip fit. If you've done as many as I have you end up with a collection of these set-up bearings.

 

Ok I will start with the .030. Another thing I was considering is Retech 4111 spacer that is used instead of the original crush sleeve. I would figure I would go through many crush sleeves getting the RE set up.

 

First of all, never use the crush spacer or any spacer when doing the trial assemblies. You only need the spacer on the final assembly. Also, use the old nut for trial assemblies and save the new nut for the final. Next, yes you can shim it behind the bearing race. All of the Dana 44 and 60 rear ends are shimmed behind the race. It's easier to do it behind the bearing, but you can do it behind the race if you want. You will have to get the right size shims to do it this way.