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</head><body><p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">While we are on the subject. </p><p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I have been learning about ring and pinion set up. </p><p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I had a company called Rear End Specialties in Santa Clara,Ca. assemble all new parts for my Southwick, TranX limited slip while I was finishing building my TR3. </p><p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I discovered problems immediately with the diff. First, the centering button had not been removed for the Ford axles, so the axle roller bearings had a bunch of tension and side load. 20 minuted before my "first race" in the car at Sonoma, my brother noticed a couple drops of gear oil on a rear wheel. We pulled the wheel and brake drum and it seemed the seal had failed. We wrapped a blue shop towel on it with a zip tie and I finished the race. </p><p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">A couple days later I pulled the axle and found the outer race of the axle bearing had broken clean across.</p><p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Then I saw one half of the centering button lying in the axle tube. </p><p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I had no idea about the necessity of removing the button for the Ford axles. Either did the rear end company. </p><p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Then a couple seasons later, I noticed there was barely detectable radial play in the pinion flange. Not good. I pulled the axle assembly and took it to the shop that built it. They said they looked at it and all was fine. But, in hindsight I knew better. Then, a couple races later the seal started leaking. During the replacement of the seal I found minimal torque on the pinion flange nut. The pinion was indeed loose, no preload, and probably had been all along. </p><p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Being just before a race weekend, I replaced the seal and torqued the flange. I've run it for a few more races since.</p><p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">From the beginning I had notice a metallic sheen in the gear oil and changed it regularly. This season, it of course seemed to get worse. </p><p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I've torn it apart and found the bearings trashed. Of course. I thought I might be able to save the ring and pinion, but after hours and hours of moving things around, a good pattern could not be found. Those with lots of experience in this area would have probably guessed that they too would be trashed. The ring and pinion look great, but the wear pattern had been set in and can not be improved. The drive side runs off the toe and the coast side is centered. I took photos of the original pattern and they are the same as now, but at the time I didn't know the difference. It was set up wrong from the beginning. I just trusted the rear ends shops work. </p><p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I found that the pinion was too high and .014" back lash. </p><p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">What a mess! </p><p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I received a new ring and pinion Saturday. I have polished the tooth edges and today I will begin the process all over again. </p><p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Thanks to those who have shared tips and suggestions so far. I have been working on it at Greg Solow's Engine Room with Greg standing by and using his spreader and special measuring tools. Thanks Greg. I have learned a bunch...the hard way.</p><p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Dave H.</p><p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br></p><p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br></p><p style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br></p></body></html>