Tips and Techniques
Setting Up a Ring-and-Pinion Gearset
Although factory workshop
manuals detail the steps, many
mechanics avoid ring-and-pinion
gearset work. Axle rebuilding does
not have to be difficult, and with a better
understanding of the goals, many restorers
can confidently overhaul an axle.
The aim of axle work is to get two gears,
the ring and the pinion, to mesh properly.
In the process, the bearing preloads must
be precisely adjusted. The correctly built
axle has a normal tooth contact pattern
and accurate bearing adjustments.
Taking an axle apart, cleaning parts,
and inspecting the housing are simple
steps. When disassembling the axle, lay
out the adjustment shims, oil slingers,
and spacers in their original sequences.
Measure and keep track of these parts.
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