.004 is too tight imho....I would go back to where you were at setup 19 and move the pinion depth in by .007 which also decreases backlash (from your .017 reading) and that should move the drive pattern slightly towards the toe, and the coast pattern slightly towards the heel.

Maybe I'm wrong....

Currently at:

.028" shim behind driver side carrier bearing
.090" shim behind passenger side carrier bearing
.045" shim behind the big pinion bearing cup
.057" shim between the pinion and small bearing

Backlash is at .008"


Attempt 21 - Moved the carrier away from the pinion by .007. Backlash now .008" What says the hive mind? Go with it or fiddle around some more???

Drive


Coast


Both

Man am I glad I have a 9"..

Looks like too much work..

Keep at it, you're getting close..


Chris..

.004 will be fine i set mine at .oo3 with no issues.I,ve had some guys tell me its to tight ,but i have found it makes the gears last longer for me.

Try .030 behind the inner pinion bearing, and reset back lash and pattern
IMO you want the largest foot print across the ring gear as possible and still have the correct back lash..

Not a very good pic but you can see my foot print.

Should I keep chasing it? What direction next? I'd guess a little thinner pinion shim, maybe .005" more out... What backlash should I be shooting for?

Dan, are these new gears? If so set them up as tight on the backlash as the manufacturer suggests, they will wear in some and the backlash will increase some on the first hard hit I like to shoot for the least amount of backlash as I can get away with(manufacturer suggested minimum) and get the pinion depth as deep as possible that still looks good Richmond recommends setting the pinion depth .010 deeper on a drag race gear set up than the depth printed on the back of there pinion gears.

Looks like you're goin crazy and this is just my opinion.

I'd go back to # 21 set the BL at .10 and run it .

What brand gear is that ??

I am a big fan of a proper pattern, i hate noise from the rear and the vibration it brings with it.

I see the drive and coast are now on the same part of the gear so you are real close. Can you have someone with a lot of pressure hold a prybar between the case and the spool while your turning it so it cleans up the lead and gives us a better look.

Lemme see what I can do...

Drive



Coast

I think the pinion is still in to deep. BUT before you change it bring the back lash down a couple of thou to .006-.007 and take a look.

When doing rears you usually need to move the pinion shim .003 to see a difference.

I wish i could stay up and help you but i'm east coast!. good luck here i just found a link on line of pics to help you out:
http://www.precisiongear.com/pgtechpatterns.htm

Pulled .005 pinion shim out, putting me at .040 pinion shim, .052 preload shim. Backlash was at .007, now at .009.

Drive


Coast

What does Strange want for the minimum backlash? I would set it at that and run it with no change to the pinion depth with this pattern. BTW, I did buy a Pro Parts pinion depth tool yyears ago and use that for setting the pinion depth, not just the pattern

like above bring the backlash down and i think you will be good.

I just called Strange, and they said .005 - .009, with even .004 being OK since everything is new. I'll swap .004 carrier shim which should move me about .003.

We'll try again after work.

Thanks for all the help guys!

Attempt 23 - Moved the carrier into the pinion by .004. Backlash is now .006.

I'm just about "done" with this thing... in one sense of the word anyway.

Drive


Coast