Hello all,

I'm new to this forum, just found it today while looking for some info so I thought I'd give it a try here. I have a 1986 chevy 4x4 that I was going to install a rear locker in. When i pulled the rear cover I noticed that the spider gear shaft was wallowed out, mushroomed and had started to crack. So I sent the locker back and ordered a Detroit Truetrac limited slip differential. The questions that I have are, do i need to have the gears reset just changing the differential itself? The ring gear and pinion look great and I paln on reusing them and not disturbing the pinion at all. Any help I can get would be appreciated, I live in a small town and the only mechanic that says he can do it wants $500.00 dollars. If I don't have to set the gears up I can do it myself. Thanks, Henry

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum, just found it today while looking for some info so I thought I'd give it a try here. I have a 1986 chevy 4x4 that I was going to install a rear locker in. When i pulled the rear cover I noticed that the spider gear shaft was wallowed out, mushroomed and had started to crack. So I sent the locker back and ordered a Detroit Truetrac limited slip differential. The questions that I have are, do i need to have the gears reset just changing the differential itself? The ring gear and pinion look great and I paln on reusing them and not disturbing the pinion at all. Any help I can get would be appreciated, I live in a small town and the only mechanic that says he can do it wants $500.00 dollars. If I don't have to set the gears up I can do it myself. Thanks, Henry

I'm thinking pinion depth will remain the same, but the ring gear will obviously have to be set up as far as engagement depth, and the mesh pattern checked.

I've swapped many out in my younger years with just the ring gear adjustment being set for a rough lash equivelant, and they have lasted. Older=wiser, I now check the pattern.

Thanks, just wanted to make sure before I tore it apart in the front yard.