Re: Contact pattern
 

I have to tap the shims in to get them to slide in. As long as there's no side to side play on the carrier, all good?

Also, I’m hoping to get the crush sleeve eliminator dialed in tonight. I know I need around 20 inch pounds of rotational force on the pinion with carrier removed, but do you know at what torque the pinion nut should be before I check rotational force on the pinion?

Re: Contact pattern
 

With the crush eliminator, tighten it down without torque or get a different nut to use so the locking nut is not abused. Once the shims are tight torqueing down to specs should not change rotational drag. Personally I use a different nut and snap it down with my impact for set up.

Re: Contact pattern
 

Shim pack should be tighter so the carrier bearings have preload also. Packs can be held on the sides with a light coat of grease. Carrier can then be tapped in with either a rubber or plastic mallet

Re: Contact pattern
 

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to get the crush sleeve eliminator set up and maybe final install of pinion tonight. I'll update after that

Re: Contact pattern
 

This was 4 years ago lol.

Anyway, my diff cover has been leaking oil a bit so I pulled it off to replace it. The oil was pretty sparkly - more than I would have anticipated. Granted, I don't think I've even put 500 miles on this rear end in four years. Probably closer to 250, so I don't even think it's all the way broken in yet. But there was alot of sparkly. Is this to be expected?

Re: Contact pattern
 

Somewhat, how did the final pattern come out? any unusual noises?

Re: Contact pattern
 

If you look back in this thread, there's some pics of my final pattern. No noises, everything has been great other than the leaking diff cover gasket, and the higher than expected amount of shavings