I have depth checkers but rarely bother to use them. They will usually get you close, but normally the shim pack will need to be adjusted some to get the pattern dead nuts. If you are replacing gears, start with the one that came out. On a new assembly, chose an initial shim pack thickness to start according to what rear is being set up and go from there. The pattern will determine where to go with it.


If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.