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I have a question for the hard-core rear end guys (not that kind of rear end - I know we all fall into that category:naughty:) - if I'm just replacing the carrier & bearings(all four), and keeping the old R&P shouldn't I be able to use the original size shim between the bearing and pinion? Or could there be enough difference in the bearings that it could change (significantly) the pinion depth? Btw the diff is a stock 10-bolt from an '02 Camaro.
The reason I ask is that I'm to the point in the install where I am checking the depth of the pinion, but the measurements aren't working out. The depth I calculated that the pinion face should be is 2.356", which is the standard depth for a 10-bolt (3.780") less the thickness of the gear (1.424"). The depth I read now, after installing the gear is 2.305", or about .051" too shallow. The original shim between the pinion & bearing was .029", so I used the closest one I could find in the installation kit which was .030". The two things that concern me about my measurements are 1) I'm using one of the cheap (~$110) Proform depth gauges from Summit, and 2) the thickness of the pinion gear was tough to get - since the caliper doesn't easily reach the top face of the gear.
So, what do the experts think? Can you usually rely on the original set-up, or should I go back and re-do all my measurements to see if I screwed up royally? Btw, I also found something on the Richmond Gear website that pretty much said for the 7.5" GM diffs if you don't have a pinion depth gauge you can either go with the original shim size or just use a .035" shim. That also made me wonder how critical the pinion depth really is; if I can still get the backlash right and the gear contact patterns look good should I be ok?
Sorry for the long post, and thanks for any help.
The reason I ask is that I'm to the point in the install where I am checking the depth of the pinion, but the measurements aren't working out. The depth I calculated that the pinion face should be is 2.356", which is the standard depth for a 10-bolt (3.780") less the thickness of the gear (1.424"). The depth I read now, after installing the gear is 2.305", or about .051" too shallow. The original shim between the pinion & bearing was .029", so I used the closest one I could find in the installation kit which was .030". The two things that concern me about my measurements are 1) I'm using one of the cheap (~$110) Proform depth gauges from Summit, and 2) the thickness of the pinion gear was tough to get - since the caliper doesn't easily reach the top face of the gear.
So, what do the experts think? Can you usually rely on the original set-up, or should I go back and re-do all my measurements to see if I screwed up royally? Btw, I also found something on the Richmond Gear website that pretty much said for the 7.5" GM diffs if you don't have a pinion depth gauge you can either go with the original shim size or just use a .035" shim. That also made me wonder how critical the pinion depth really is; if I can still get the backlash right and the gear contact patterns look good should I be ok?
Sorry for the long post, and thanks for any help.
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