When you lay the ring gear on the sure grip to get ready to bolt it together, should it lay flat or does it need to be pulled together as it's bolted?

Mine does not want to just lay flat and seems like it's a very tight fit. This is my first time assembling one so I'm not sure.

Thanks

You'd want it to lay flat & way back I read something about "stoning" the ring gear with a fine whetstone like you sharpen knives with on the inner ID opening like you are chamfering it. I'd go real easy & definitely wait for others or the Doc to chime in

I have not done an 8 1/4 setup but did have the same issue when setting up a Dana recently. Put the ring gear in the oven for a bit and just get it warm. It'll grow a bit and drop right on the carrier. If you think the wife will freak out, I hear a bucket of hot water will do the trick as well. Good Luck!

Thanks, I didn't even think of that.

Carrier in the freezer works as well.

I'd slightly stone the gear/freeze the carrier/heat the gear!

Sounds like I'm going to have to do a combination of everything...

I didn't know if this was a common problem or not when installing the gear into the carrier.

The stoning might not be the final word on achieving fitment but I think it is important for it to remove very minor machining and handling imperfections that might keep it from being dead on concentric & only takes several minutes. Let us know how the installation goes

Will do. I set it on the carrier just to see how everything would line up and noticed the fitment issue, but I'm planning on actually doing the work next weekend.

Couple years ago did my 2000 Dak and per the FSM use either a heat lamp or hot water. Do not exceed 300*F on the ring gear. I don't believe it's a consideration but it also says not to use a torch.

Blazin' Bob, you have the wrong idea about stoning. The stoning is done to the flat back of the ring gear in case there are any high spots from the bolt holes.

You might want to chamfer the id but ever so slightly and I don't believe that will do anything to concentricity.

Keep in mind that every ring and pinion is installed in a machine at the factory and "run in" using an abrasive slurry. So, however the gearset came off the machine is how it's going to run best.

Having a fun Winter?

R.

Oh OK yeah I had just assumed (incorrectly) that it helped fitment/concentricity. Not a good winter, too much thinking not enough action

Well putting the carrier in the freezer over night and the ring gear in the oven @ 150 deg for ~ an hour this morning did the trick.

Thanks again

I prefer to set the ring gear face down on some wood blocks and hit the carrier with a hammer with a piece of wood between. Works good with no damage.