2003 Durango 4x4, 4.7l 9.25 lsd rear
I made a post a couple weeks ago about my differential, It was noisy at low speed turns and I changed the fluids and found some broken pieces of the clutch pack in the case.
I bought the clutch rebuild kit, and I found a web page that features a rebuild where the owner found himself in EXACTLY the same position: During a fluid change, he found clutch pack parts that had fallen off but nothing else had been damaged.
In that write up, he postulates that if you count off the number of turns you had to loosen the adjusters to get the gearset out, then you can get the preload and backlash "close enough" when re assembling. In his write up, it appeared he replaced ONLY the clutch pack.
I bought the two bearings, the cup and cone items that go on the left and right side of the differential...(not bothering with the pinion end)--However if I replace those carrier bearings, the whole "count the turns" deal is out the window right? Certainly a new set of carriers is going to be different...they wont wind up being at necessarily the same as far as the preload and backlash, right?
So, that leads me to want to stay with the original bearings if they look okay. Is that totally nuts or what? Im not looking for another 100,000 miles here, Id be happy with 30 or 40k. I also am not gonna spend $1100 to have it rebuilt "professionally" either. I got the run out gauge, and the marking paint but Ive never done this type of work.
Im sort of feeling like my best chance is to stay with the original bearings and double check the backlash when installed again. I dunno. Im doing all of this ahead of a long trip for a vacation! We will be driving it down the beach somewhat. I also pull a boat with it.
Any comments would be appreciated!
I made a post a couple weeks ago about my differential, It was noisy at low speed turns and I changed the fluids and found some broken pieces of the clutch pack in the case.
I bought the clutch rebuild kit, and I found a web page that features a rebuild where the owner found himself in EXACTLY the same position: During a fluid change, he found clutch pack parts that had fallen off but nothing else had been damaged.
In that write up, he postulates that if you count off the number of turns you had to loosen the adjusters to get the gearset out, then you can get the preload and backlash "close enough" when re assembling. In his write up, it appeared he replaced ONLY the clutch pack.
I bought the two bearings, the cup and cone items that go on the left and right side of the differential...(not bothering with the pinion end)--However if I replace those carrier bearings, the whole "count the turns" deal is out the window right? Certainly a new set of carriers is going to be different...they wont wind up being at necessarily the same as far as the preload and backlash, right?
So, that leads me to want to stay with the original bearings if they look okay. Is that totally nuts or what? Im not looking for another 100,000 miles here, Id be happy with 30 or 40k. I also am not gonna spend $1100 to have it rebuilt "professionally" either. I got the run out gauge, and the marking paint but Ive never done this type of work.
Im sort of feeling like my best chance is to stay with the original bearings and double check the backlash when installed again. I dunno. Im doing all of this ahead of a long trip for a vacation! We will be driving it down the beach somewhat. I also pull a boat with it.
Any comments would be appreciated!