adjusting pinion depth effects backlash. does it effect wear pattern?

[axeman]

just curious. looking to swap my gears soon. i've swapped several sets now with good results. never really had to deal with backlash yet, except i may have a little excess with my gears right now.

i know if needed, i would add an extra shim to decrease baklash. how much would this really effect the wear pattern?

 

[Michael Yount]

Go here and knock yourself out....http://www.reiderracing.com/rtech_contact.htm

 

[goldbomb79]

more backlash most likely means that the gears are spaced farther apart, which isn't a good thing. if the gears aren't contacting each other as much you put more stress on the ends of the gear teeth. I know my backlash on my gears (4:56's) is 8-10 thousandths and i have them at 8.
Have you painted the ring gear with alittle grease on both sides to see if the gears mesh together to deep or shallow? alot of times if the pinion is not shimmed correctly it will cause the excessive backlash. or if the diff preload isn't correct.

 

[axeman]

more backlash most likely means that the gears are spaced farther apart, which isn't a good thing. if the gears aren't contacting each other as much you put more stress on the ends of the gear teeth. I know my backlash on my gears (4:56's) is 8-10 thousandths and i have them at 8.
Have you painted the ring gear with alittle grease on both sides to see if the gears mesh together to deep or shallow? alot of times if the pinion is not shimmed correctly it will cause the excessive backlash. or if the diff preload isn't correct.

gear pattern looked good at time of install. maybe it loosened up a little over time. i'll probably be adding a small shim when i put my new gears in.

BTW, what exactly is differential preload? do you mean side to side placement or bearing cap torque?