First ever self-install: gears

[merkathomas]

Good idea or bad idea

[1 Bad Merc]

Bring it to an expert to install gears. You have to adjust the last and everything just right or you will have problems.

[BAD MERC]

HORRIBLE IDEA!!!!!!!!! Exacting measurements and depth measurement tools are required. There are so many variables that guessing will be pretty much the complete demise of your rear end.

[merkathomas]

My personal mechanic made it seem like just a swap out then lube up the new ones an I'm good to go

[hotford]

You will need a pinon depth gauge tool and back lash mic , also the pinon shim kit and carrier side shim which vary and I bet you will need to change them, also will need to check the pattern on the gears to make sure its right and if ya never done this you can google it and always use a new collapsable washer with a ring and pinon.

while your there check the clutch packs as they may need changing, for a tighter posi use the .0045 shims on the side gears instead of the .0025 ones.

Don't forget a torque wrench for proper settings.

Not so easy now is it.
I know I use to do this for a living.

[musclemerc]

Go for it!

[babbage]

Gears are tricky to get perfect the first time. I'd pay an experienced shop to do it.

Be prepared to spend twice the amount of time & money a shop would charge.

[fastblackmerc]

Bad idea especially if you've never done it before.

[justbob]

Personally after reading about all the issues that even shops have had, I wouldn't touch it. I have done a few gear swaps in 2nd gen Camaro's without any issue, but they don't ride anywhere near as quiet as these cars do, therefor they allways seemed just fine. Looking back, I am sure that none of the ones I did were perfect.

[TooManyFords]

Don't be so scared.

Here's a good write-up of how to do it yourself.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144780

[Paul T. Casey]

Do it. If you screw it up, then re-do it. Not like the car will explode or anything if you goof it up. You're 22 years old, time to learn mechanical things.

[mrjones]

My personal mechanic made it seem like just a swap out then lube up the new ones an I'm good to go

You CAN do it that way, but you're likely to get a lot of noise. I would suggest finding someone to do it, and someone other than the guy mentioned above. A shop that specializes in this would be the best.

[juno]

Don't fear the gear.

[RF Overlord]

This is one of those cases where you have to decide for yourself. As already said, there are tolerances that need to be checked with the right equipment, but the job itself isn't particularly difficult. If you've never done it before, you should prolly have someone with experience show you how, or at least be available to consult while you do it.

[Big Black Beast]

The general opinion I have always heard is to leave transmissions and differentials to the experts. They require special tools and experience. Then again, you can do anything if you really want to. Do a www search for a write up on this, and read through it twice. Then decide. I guess it depends somewhat on your experience and confidence. I was going to put a locker in my 9" and after reading the write up, I decided I liked my open 9" okay for now.

[tbone]

Personally after reading about all the issues that even shops have had, I wouldn't touch it. I have done a few gear swaps in 2nd gen Camaro's without any issue, but they don't ride anywhere near as quiet as these cars do, therefor they allways seemed just fine. Looking back, I am sure that none of the ones I did were perfect.


So, are you saying don't do it yourself, or don't do the gear change at all for fear of having a gear whine, no matter the skill of the installer? (In the Marauder, not the ridiculously common Camaro!)

[BAD MERC]

Do welded gears and save some labor and money on clutches and friction modifier. Here's how you do it...

[1stMerc]

Depends on what kind of mechanical skills you have and amount of patience and ability to stick to detail. Sticking with Ford gears will make it a lot easier. Also helps if you have a suitable means of getting the car in the air.

Maybe "stranger in the black sedan" will chime in as well, i believe he did his own a couple of years back.

[tbone]

I just received the 4.10 gears from Ford Racing a week ago. My buddy at the local Ford dealership said $200 to install, all my materials. His guy is supposedly really, really good. My car hauls as is, so this better be good!!!!!!! And no WHINE!!!!!!!!

[1stMerc]

Make sure you have a tune to go with them.

[99SVT]

It's not that bad if you have good mechanical knowledge and a complete tool set. If you're just getting into wrenching on things it's a bad place to start.

A trick to setting pinion depth is to use your old pinion bearing and race when shimming it. You can grind the outside of the race down so it slides in and out without having to hammer it out. Saves a ton of time when pulling the diff in and out half a dozen times reshimming it.

[Maraudermike1]

I did one set myself and after one hard launch it sounded like I was playing hungry hungry hippo with a big bag of nickels. Bad Idea! lol

[Big Black Beast]

Oh, BTW, I wasn't talking about the Marauder. I know it doesn't have a 9" rear end.

[SC Cheesehead]

Bad idea especially if you've never done it before.


+1

IMO, find a good Mustang or Ford-knowledgeable shop to do it for you.