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Spider Gears For Sloppy Axles

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Old 09-07-2020, 07:09 PM
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Default Spider Gears For Sloppy Axles

So I really got a lot of slop in the rear axles. Got a funny clunk in the back I'm also trying to fix (Spoiler Alert: The new spiders didn't solve that).

Anyway slapping in this kit. It's a middle of the road re: price:


Old 09-07-2020, 07:11 PM
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Ta-da. They give you 3 sets of shims so that's helpful.


Old 09-07-2020, 07:17 PM
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Including a comment about that little bolt that holds the pin in. A previous poster rounded it off. Let me just say that you need a quality 6-pt. 5/16 socket or wrench to take it off. I can see if the fit is a little loose it's easy to start rounding that thing off and getting in big trouble:


Old 09-08-2020, 04:53 AM
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Ring gear backlash can be adjusted with those side nuts held in place by the small bolts on the outside edge of the carrier assembly. It looks like the tooth wear pattern is perfect, but is full face showing wear.

USA Standard Gear is a quality supplier that you can trust.

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Old 09-09-2020, 09:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Dave51
Got a funny clunk in the back I'm also trying to fix (Spoiler Alert: The new spiders didn't solve that).
Well that was hard to find!

Turns out that because of the lift (although only about 2 inches) the rear shocks are now at a slight angle on the upper shock pins. The bushing wore on one side and the top of the shock was hitting the shock housing.
Old 09-09-2020, 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by dave1123
Ring gear backlash can be adjusted ...face showing wear.
Backlash was .006 when I measured it last time I changed lube. Didn't bother checking this time but felt like .006. Maybe .007.
Old 09-10-2020, 05:48 AM
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Okay. Didn't know how much you knew about diffs. I had my transmission rebuilt in a shop and they asked me if I wanted my leaking pinion seal replaced while it was there. I said, "Yeah, if you know how to do it right." They looked at me like I had 2 heads. The day I got the jeep back, the rear axle blew up, which they fixed. Even the carrier was busted.
Old 09-16-2020, 04:55 AM
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Might be a stupid question but, having never done the 8.25 yet, if the backlash is set by the adjusters, what do you need shims for? assuming you mean carrier shims.
Most I have seen the backlash has been fine, because when you torque the adjusters it automatically sets them. Much trickier when you do a D35. Then you use the carrier shims.
Old 09-16-2020, 05:23 AM
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Originally Posted by 97grand4.0
...if the backlash is set by the adjusters, what do you need shims for? assuming you mean carrier shims.
No, because as noted, if you have adjusters, there's no need for carrier shims.

They are "Side Gear Thrust Washers".
Old 09-16-2020, 05:27 AM
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#18:

Old 09-16-2020, 05:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Dave51
Well that was hard to find!

Turns out that because of the lift (although only about 2 inches) the rear shocks are now at a slight angle on the upper shock pins. The bushing wore on one side and the top of the shock was hitting the shock housing.
That wasn't it either!

The shock itself had failed ("failed" being a loose term).

With the minor lift and and subsequent rear axle angle shimming, the shock needed to be pulled forward in order to be remounted on the bottom pin. This put a lateral stress on the plunger, causing it to make a clunk whenever I hit a bump. Oddly, I can't duplicate the noise with the shock out out of the XJ so I imagine they won't warranty it.

That, and the fact that the top mount is a little bent ("modified").
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