[killerformula]

Hey folks-

Just got off the phone with a guy who wants to do the rear in my car. I have an 8.5 10 bolt GM with a posi and 2.73 gears. I have 3.73 gears that I got from richmond to go in it. Now this guy quoted me a decent price of 275 for the labor (all I need is the ring and pinion swap, carrier will stay) but tells me that "using the puller to get the inner and outer pinion out will likely destroy a couple of your bearings, and you're going to 9 times out of 10 need a bearing kit for it, which will run about 150 dollars." This last part sounds like a line, because nobody else has mentioned this. I'm in the dark on this one, because I've never done a rear and I really don't have the time to figure it out right now. Anybody know what the real deal is on this one?

Thanks in advance guys-

K

[Lonestar]

It's not a line, have you ever had the pleasure of separating a ring gear from the carrier?

Nevertheless, I highly advise you to invest in an installation kit (new bearings, seals, etc...). Cheap insurance.

[302 Z28]

The pinion bearings definitely. The carrier bearings if they are in good shape can be reused as it is not necessary to remove them from the carrier to replace the ring gear.

Vince

[coldknock]

Those fellas are giving you a line to get some money out of you.

Buy a shim kit, two inner bearings, one outer bearing and a seal. Open the I.D. of one inner bearing just enough to slip over the pinion with no drag. He'll need it to get the pinion depth right without pressing the bearing on and off multiple times. When you get the right pinion depth, press the unaltered bearing on with the shims in place and be done with that part.

Oops, I got carried away. If the dude doesn't already know this, find someone else.

Larry

PS,
The gears were shipped via R&L Carrier. They should be there by or before Friday.

[jimbobneutral]

I don't think that it will cost that $150 but definatly you will need some bearing, seals and what-not

[k-star]

In my shop i will not do any installs with out a bearing kit.....

In all of the rears i have done that have never been apart before maybe 3 of them i got the bearings off with out doing some typ of damage to them.... You would not really need new carrier bearings but the inner pinion bearing will probably take a hit removing it. So at the very least you might need one of them.

If you trust the guy enough to do the job you should trust his judgement in parts....IMO

Keith

[killerformula]

Fair enough, I bought a rebuild kit through summit with new bearings (carrier and both pnion), shims, seals and gasket through summit for 90 bucks. I'll give the kit to him with the gears and tell him to use if it he needs it, but if he doesn't need to use it I'm going to return it.

P.s. Keith, I think I do trust the guy, but I haven't gone to a shop to have work done in probably 5 years for anything. This is the first thing I've run into building this car that I really don't have the tools or skills to do. So I really don't have any regular experience with the shops around and I'm sorta feeling this one out for the first time. I think the price is fair on the labor. I thought the bearing price was high, so I got them cheaper (dunno what his source was). I think I'm going to have him do the job. I've given him all the equipment to do it, so all I should have to pay is his labor quote.

K

[k-star]

Ok i guess i can see your point there........... I am the same way with things because i do everything my self i am kind of gun shy about getting work done some place else......

Keith

[killerformula]

I'm going to try to take it in next monday or tuesday. Any advice on break in for the new gears?

K

[k-star]

I have my customers run them for like 15 minutes on jack stands. then let them cool. then maybe (2) 20 minutes runs or drives if it street legal and cool between......

Then spank it like a 3 year old in wal-mart!!!!!!

Keith