Thoughts on this pattern?

[Gawynz]

Need an opinion on ring and pinion (mic drop)...

I've noticed you can drive yourself crazy with this process, so I'm looking for feedback. This is my 3rd attempt on a ford 8.8, current backlash is 0.010" (middle of spec, new gears), and this is the pattern. I tried pinion deeper and shallower (0.035" and 0.030"), this is 0.0325" and looks best to me. Full disclosure, you will be held liable for your advise, ha, kidding thanks.

Positive




Negative

 

[Hickey]

It looks better than the pattern on my JK rear axle, which is about to be replaced.

Is that helpful? 😂😂

 

[skippy]

add .005 pinion depth

 

[Herzog]

I'd run that. I like to see backlash closer to .006 because new gears will wear in... but that pattern looks good.

 

[Gawynz]

Thanks for the feedback. I added 0.005" depth to give it a shot (deepest I've tried) and the pattern on both sides became half moon shaped with the wide side deep at the flank (not like the soft edged oval pattern seen in the previous pictures) indicating too great of pinion depth. I think I'll go back to the previous setup and see how reduced backlash affects the pattern. I was using the Ford manual which recommends a higher and wider range of backlash than that from the Yukon instructions; I plan to target 0.006" (more in line w/ Yukon).

 

[Gawynz]

Final setup, 6th times a charm - factory diff preload, backlash at 0.0065", and I'm happy with this pattern. Thanks again for the input. Lesson learned, I think if I would have diluted the paint it may have given a better positive pattern, everything is ~30deg right now and I think that caused the smear to be a bit less distinct.

 

[Herzog]

Looks good!