500 miles for break in?

So who really waits 500 miles after installing new gears to open it up?

Motive Gear says "light driving for a period of 500 miles..."

My shifts are pretty hard even at light throttle, will that hurt my new r&p?

As always, thanks.

 

i dont knwo about the 500 miles. but i would let them go through a few heat cycles of about 20 minute driving then letting it cool. then change the grease and give er heck. :3gears:

 

I've always just put them through 3 heat cycles and never had a problem. Drive it about 10 miles at highway speeds then stop and let them completely cool down. Do it 3 times and you're good to go.

 

Great, guys. I like your procedures better!

Thanks,

 

well.. do you think people with alcohol burners and race car drivers drive 500 miles before beating on it? they would spend more money on gas than the rear end!

 

I was wondering about that, thought it might have to do with 'pro' gears they use.

 

Old post clipping I did on marlin crawler years ago that I still pass to people

Engine Break-in
first initial start up: (rev to 2k rpms for 20 mins if flat tappet cam) then turn off and change oil and filter(can wait til 100mis)
no prolonged heavy rpms(short bursts for the first 20miles are acceptable), and try and fluctuate while staying under 60mph for the first 1000 miles
change oil/filter at intervals of 250 mi, 500mi, 750mi and 1000 miles or some similar variation..

Transmission Break-in
no towing nor heavy acceleration for the first 1000 miles
change fluid and filter after 1k miles, then go by the recommended manufacturer intervals.
Manual: Owners should be advised to be patient when shifting gears during break-in, avoid speed shifting and make sure to always depress and hold the clutch pedal to the floor until gear changes are completed

Ring and Pinion Break-in (axle/gears)
Drive around for 15 to 20 miles and let the housing completely cool off for a couple hours( do this up to 3 times)
You can drive around in 4H with hubs unlocked, This will break in the drive side, than you can drive in 2wd with hub's locked to get the coast side
no heavy acceleration/high rpms nor towing for the first 500 miles
stay under 55 for 500miles then change oil

Note: everyone has there own procedures, so do what you know works best for you..

 

Hate to say this, but I did the cam break in in the shop, then on the first drive I had to open her up! my gears were not new, but were newly installed stock ford gears, in a nodular 9 inch differential, no problems so far, but its only been 1600 miles. no worrys here tho :TU:

 

i was told to drive mine around the block for 10-15 min and then to let it cool off completly
then to drive it a second time and heat up the gears 20-30 min and to let it cool down a second time.......

after that drive it like you stole it

scott

 

Thanks guys, put three good heat cycles on em and finally opened her up!

WoooooHoooooo!

I know I couldn't have waited 500 miles.

 

The above suggestions are all very good. The real concern is just that until the gears have seen some heat cycles, they build up heat while breaking in. This both heats the oil, which can cause it to break down, and until the gears have formed their wear pattern and been heat cycled, they can become very brittle and prone to breaking when hot. A few heat up and cool downs should be good to beat on them, but I'd keep highway driving to a minimum for a few hundred miles and change the fluid after about 500.