Mgb86

iTrader: (3)

I have recently started to rebuild the 10 bolt under my 89 RS All of the bearings and races have been replaced. When I had the pinion bearing pressed on I had them use the original shim so the pinion depth shouldn't of changed. I believe that I have the pinion set up correctly. I used a new crush sleeve and a new pinion nut which was torqued to around 160 ft/lbs. and the preload on the pinion is at 24 in/lbs. The problem that I am having is when I go to set the carrier into the housing. New bearing were pressed on and I am using the original shims. It is a tight fit, like it should be but once I tap the carrier with the dead blow to make sure it seats correctly the carrier tightens up way too much I can't turn it by hand. I think that the carrier is to tight against the housing but don't understand why the original shims don't get me close to factory setup. Any help would be great thanks.

big gear head

Is the ring gear bottomed out against the pinion with no backlash? You might have the differential shims crossed up. Using the factory shims with new bearings will not always work. I just finished rebuilding a '06 GTO rear end replacing the bearings and using the original gears and differential. I had to add .003 to the pinion shim to get the contact pattern right again. bearings are not alwasy exactly the same.

Mgb86

iTrader: (3)

I guess it could be the pinion binding it all up. The pinion would need a smaller shim start with -0.005? Can you recommend a good shim kit I could get to that I have something to work with?

jonarotz

iTrader: (26)

dont mess with the pinion shim, you should be close using the original one. I am willing to bet you need to shim the carrier, create some backlash.

big gear head

The pinion is not the problem (yet). See if your right shim is thicker than the left one. If it is then swap sides with them. I can get you a good shim set if you need it.

Mgb86

iTrader: (3)

Both of the carrier shims are the same size. I think that I am going to buy a good shim kit and a couple of new pinion nuts and crush sleeves. Just in case I do need to start over but you guys do think that the carrier could be in to tight and that would make the carrier feel like it is stuck. I just bought a used rear end out of a 96 so I might be putting this on the back burner and save up for some better parts (Eaton Posi) and such. Thanks for your help guys

big gear head

You can't put the shims in a 10 bolt tight enough to lock it up. It can't be done. The ring gear has to be against the pinion too tight. What did you use to measure the thickness of the shims? How thick are they?

Mgb86

iTrader: (3)

I used a Micrometer and both shims have a thickness of .235. So I need to redo the pinion and use a smaller shim. I never measured the pinion shim I just had them reuse it when the new bearing was pressed on. Why wouldn't the stock shim get me close to where I need to be?

big gear head

You are wanting to move the wrong part. You don't need to move the pinion, you need to move the differential to the left a little. You need a thinner shim on the left and a thicker shim on the right.

Mgb86

iTrader: (3)

Okay I think I'm picking up what your putting down. I will grab a shim pack and try just that. I will let you know if it works out or not. Thanks