I have a bad front diff in my daily driver H6 VDC (i screwed it up LOL)

I have an H6 trans with a good front diff I want to swap onto it.

 

Is there a way to "retain" the current backlash by installing the complete gear set and using the same number of turns for the side retainers?

 

Or am I stuck with the FSM process I wouldn't possibly get right?

 

Is setting backlash fairly similar across other vehicles such that other mechanics or transmission shop could do it?

You possibly could get it right. OEM's can't possibly be far off from one another. The Mustang and Ranger guys swap 8.8" differentials all the time, and if you keep the shims with the differential it is usually right on or at least very close. Just check the gear contact pattern and see if it looks good

 

Any place competent in setting up new gears in a rear differential could do it if they were willing. Normally about a $2-300 job in labor costs tho

 

 

I have Redline Shockproof lightweight and some redline LSD addative coming for my noisy diff. I've read that combination can quiet noisy gears quite a bit

Edited October 7, 201312 yr by matt167

i'm going to try to find someone to do it for me I believe.

 

i've done rear diffs before but i think front diffs are more problematic, exacting, and less forgiving.

Backlash is easy, you rock the ring back and forth through the drain plug to check it and spin the bearing retainers to adjust. The problem is the pinion depth, and that's what you need the tools for to check it before assembling.

bump - anyone else?