8.25" Diff Bearing Adj Tool??

8.25" Diff Bearing Adj Tool?? - 11/06/10 09:07 PM

Looks like I need to fab up my own differential bearing adjustment tool if there's none out there available. Does Miller tool still exist and sell such an item??

These adjusters don't have the "hex" shaped hole that is accessed through the axle tube. It's more like a "spanner" that would be Y-shaped with 2 dowels to lock into the adjusters and turn them.

Anyone know a source?

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks
Dean

Posted By: JohnRR

Re: 8.25" Diff Bearing Adj Tool?? - 11/06/10 10:59 PM

Dean , what year is the rear ? the ones I have done had a hex hole in the middle of the adjuster

Posted By: Sport440

Re: 8.25" Diff Bearing Adj Tool?? - 11/06/10 11:54 PM

Dean, if you have angle grinder, the same spanner tool that is used to unlock the grinders disc lock nut works great for adjusting the 8.25

I have two angle grinder Y spanners here with dowls. One with dowls 1" apart and the other 1.25" apart.

Both work perfect for turning the adjusters of the 8.25 rear from the back of the rear.

If you dont have one you can buy a El Cheapo Harbor freight 4.5 or 5" grinder for about $15 bucs. And get Both the Grinder and the Y spanner tool to adjust your 8.25 rear. mike

Posted By: Dean_Kuzluzski

Re: 8.25" Diff Bearing Adj Tool?? - 11/07/10 02:57 AM

Quote:

Dean , what year is the rear ? the ones I have done had a hex hole in the middle of the adjuster

John,

It's the original 69 B-body rearend out of my 69 Satellite. Round holes in adjusters, must use spanner.

Posted By: Dean_Kuzluzski

Re: 8.25" Diff Bearing Adj Tool?? - 11/07/10 03:01 AM

Mike,

Thanks for the info. I'll take some measurements and swing by the local Harbor Freight monday.

Otherwise, I'll use an old left over bodymount disc and drill it for dowels and put a bolt through the center. Weld & grind a bit and use a stack-up of extensions down the axle tube. FSM says 75 lbs/ft IIRC.

Posted By: NITROUSN

Re: 8.25" Diff Bearing Adj Tool?? - 11/07/10 03:39 AM

Can the later hex style be used in place of the round holed ones???

Posted By: Sport440

Re: 8.25" Diff Bearing Adj Tool?? - 11/07/10 04:10 AM

Quote:

Mike,

Thanks for the info. I'll take some measurements and swing by the local Harbor Freight monday.

Otherwise, I'll use an old left over bodymount disc and drill it for dowels and put a bolt through the center. Weld & grind a bit and use a stack-up of extensions down the axle tube. FSM says 75 lbs/ft IIRC.

75 lbs/ft. No , no no! Those adjusters are to move the carrier back and forth to help get proper ring and pinion gear clearence.

Once thats found, the adjusters are tightend to give the bearing preload to prevent any slop.

Its tightend like a wheel bearing, turn them in untill all slop is gone and with a little extra turn. No way crank them both to 75 ft/lbs. mike

Posted By: mopars4ever

Re: 8.25" Diff Bearing Adj Tool?? - 11/07/10 04:32 AM

http://compare.ebay.com/like/23038033657...4=263602_304662

Posted By: 1_WILD_RT

Re: 8.25" Diff Bearing Adj Tool?? - 11/07/10 04:48 AM

Quote:

http://compare.ebay.com/like/23038033657...4=263602_304662

Didn't read the part where he mentioned it not having the hex type adjusters huh...

Posted By: 52savoy

Re: 8.25" Diff Bearing Adj Tool?? - 11/07/10 06:31 AM

You can make one out of 1/2" black pipe from a hardware store for maybe $12. About 4 foot of it and a 1/2" to 2" pipe adapter bushing(I think). Tighten the bushing on the piece of 1/2" pipe.
The casting burrs will have to be filed off the bushing so it goes in the adjusters easier.

Posted By: JohnRR

Re: 8.25" Diff Bearing Adj Tool?? - 11/07/10 02:15 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Mike,

Thanks for the info. I'll take some measurements and swing by the local Harbor Freight monday.

Otherwise, I'll use an old left over bodymount disc and drill it for dowels and put a bolt through the center. Weld & grind a bit and use a stack-up of extensions down the axle tube. FSM says 75 lbs/ft IIRC.

75 lbs/ft. No , no no! Those adjusters are to move the carrier back and forth to help get proper ring and pinion gear clearence.

Once thats found, the adjusters are tightend to give the bearing preload to prevent any slop.

Its tightend like a wheel bearing, turn them in untill all slop is gone and with a little extra turn. No way crank them both to 75 ft/lbs. mike

When I did the 9 1/4 in my 86 Ramcharger and the 8 1/4 in my 89 d150 it was 100 ft lbs and they had the hex adjuster , I borrowed the tool originally and then made a copy of it while I had it in my possession.

Posted By: dgc333

Re: 8.25" Diff Bearing Adj Tool?? - 11/07/10 03:15 PM

According to the FSM the preload on the bearings is 75 ft-lbs, it's not like a wheel bearing.

I rebuilt my 8.25 45000 miles ago and used 75 ft-lbs and it's been quite and happy for the past 7 years.

Posted By: Sport440

Re: 8.25" Diff Bearing Adj Tool?? - 11/07/10 09:08 PM

Quote:

According to the FSM the preload on the bearings is 75 ft-lbs, it's not like a wheel bearing.

I rebuilt my 8.25 45000 miles ago and used 75 ft-lbs and it's been quite and happy for the past 7 years.

I stand corrected, I did a search today from different references. 75 ft-lbs came up the most for the carrier bearing cap. As did 100 ft-lbs or no spec at all, just a lash clearence.

I did mine over 14 years ago, Then I think I used the, take out the lash and snug them up pretty good method. Id guess they are probably sitting at about 30 ft. lbs or so. Maybe its time to check on them, mike