I took the cover off my rearend (1955 special) cuz i hear a loud whine and thought this might be the culprit. Well all the teeth are htere although with rounded edges and I can move the ring gar about 1/8 -3/16 of and inch befor it engages the pinion gear. Is way out of tollereance? Any ideas on a rearend rebuild? thanx late chad
Rear end slop is never good, I would change your diet and see a doctor. Really, you should have about 5-8 thousands of an inch play. This is best checked with a dial indicator with the base fixed to the housing. You can get it close with feeler gauges between the gears in a pinch. It has been a while since I have been in an early style rear but I think you can adjust the backlash like you would a '55 Chevy or 9" Ford. There should be adjusting sleeves on each end of the carrier bearings. Loosen the right side slightly and tighten the left. This will start moving the carrier (and ring gear) closer to the pinion. If there are metal shavings or chunks in the rear you may have already done too much damage. Also if the gear took a 'pattern', the noise may not fully go away. I would still try adjusting the rear as you have nothing to lose at this point and the cover is already off. If you still have noise and are looking to nurse the car until you can find a rear or get it rebuilt, replace the fluid with Ford Model "A" trans fluid, they call it 500wt. It is not a fix but will suffice if needed.
I just went through the same situation with my rear diff and it was a nightmare. I wish I knew about re-aligning it before I took it off of the road because I've been without a car for over 2months now!! :eek2: If you are looking to replace the stock ring and pinion, PM me and let me know what the ratio is because I came across alot on the mission to find mine. It was a huge pain in the ass!! But if you dont really care for the stock rear end I would suggest changing it for a newer more accessible one. I dont know what will fit with your setup but its worth finding out. Good luck. :3gears:
The only problem with changing it out for a laer model/more accessible style is that you will have to get rid of the torque tube set up. this means also changing your tranny, getting a driveshaft, setting up a way to locate the new rear such as leaf spring, coil spring with ladder bars or four bar. It would be a good upgrade but considerable amount of work. I would just try to bring it back to specs and see what happens.
I'll have to try realigninig it this weekend. I filled it with that thick and sticky LUCAS stuff and it's alot quieter in town but still whines like a police siren on the highway. I pulled the plug last night and the magnet that's on it was already full of real fine(almost powder like) metal. It has a stock rear and i'd rather leave it that way. I think the gear ratio is like 3.5? or something close to that. At least i know it probably isn't my tranny that's makin that noise thanx fellas laters chad
The more you drive it without resetting the backlash , the more camage you will do to the gear faces. If you have that much material on the magnet since you changed the fluid you may already have done it in. I would set the backlash before you drive it anymore. Hope it works out for you.
