Banjo Rear End Setup...

PeteVS

PeteVS

Well-known member
I've been posting on this for a while now, but I think I'm moving along. This is my first rear end build and I'm putting a new ring and pinion into a '48 rear. Last year, without the pinion in place, I assembled the ring gear and carrier (no axles) and put them into the axle housing / banjo casting / axle housing sandwich. It turned out that it took the entire stack of axle housing gaskets to get a decent preload on the carrier bearings. Next, I assembled the pinion into the banjo housing and finally got that preload set. Today, I took some measurements and figured out that backlash at the gears is about twice what would be measured at the pinion spline. Next, I set up the left axle housing with the banjo / pinion group, starting with two .010 gaskets and there was a ton of back lash. I wound up with only one of the .005 gaskets (thinnest in set) and there is still a small amount of backlash noticed by rotating the ring gear. (I guess I should set up the dial indicator and check to see if it's about .004, or double .002 recommended at the pinion spline.) Then, I installed the left axle housing (I'm using five screws tightened on each side for this set up work.) Feeling thru the filler hole, there's still backlash at the ring gear. Is there a way to "lock up" the ring gear to measure backlash at the pinion? Does all this sound right to you folks? I feel good about how it's going- I just want some confirmation or otherwise. Thanks!!
 
I have to do this sometime in the comming months; so I've been studying up. I'm thinking you could rig a clamp on the left axle to hold the ring gear. BTW , my motors manual says .003 to .008 backlash checking at the pinion. If you have .004, I'd say you're in there. JMHO
 
It sounds to me that you have the right Idea.

I am however surprised that it took a whole set of gaskets to get the pre-load set on the carrier bearings. I would consider going back and just be sure the bearings (cups and cones) are all fully seated. I do not ever remember using a whole set of gaskets on a stock rear end.

Your method of checking back lash is fine, but I usually can not get any sort of reading until both axle housings are tightened up to the center section.

You can put something thru the oil fill hole and to hold against the ring gear to keep it from turning to check back lash, a brass drift or hard wood dowl or something like that. You have to be gentle with the pinion gear when checking back lash or you will still move the ring gear a little. It takes a little technique but I think you have the concept.

Keep at it, It looks like you are doing fine.

Chris
 
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one of the downfalls of new parts. makes for very difficult bearig adjustment. ive found that 030 shim between the inner brg and pinion prevents having all the gaskets on one side to get the backlash right
PeteVS said:
Thanks for the link. The one thing I wish I had known was about taking material off the pinion shaft for the outer bearing. The old set of gears allowed that bearing to slide right off, but the bearing pressed onto the new pinion and gave me all kinds of grief!
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