Gears. Can I install or should I take to pro?

99FiveOh

15 Year Member
May 20, 2006
2,051
20
99
J-Ville, FL
I'm very mechanically inclined, so could I pull off a gear swap? I know I"ll need a dial indicator and they're pretty cheap at harbor freight. If not, is there a good place in the north east FL area to get them installed? About how much does it usually run to get them installed?

Anyone who lives near Jacksonville FL and can do gears, let me know if you wanna make some cash!
 
I'm very mechanically inclined, so could I pull off a gear swap? I know I"ll need a dial indicator and they're pretty cheap at harbor freight. If not, is there a good place in the north east FL area to get them installed? About how much does it usually run to get them installed?

Anyone who lives near Jacksonville FL and can do gears, let me know if you wanna make some cash!

It will take an experienced shop about 3.5-4 hrs.
 
Generally gear installs will run you around 600-800 dollars. Most shops are gonna charge you around 5 hours labor. Factor in the price of the gear, and the price of the bearings, and the price of fluid and friction modifier......not quite that cheap. A professional shop will also have a pinion depth tool (not cheap by any means).

You can do it yourself, no problem. Just take your time and make sure you're within spec backlash. I've found that being around .011 to .014 is a decent backlash. After that make sure you do a pattern check. You can check online for pattern charts.

You just don't want it too loose or too tight...just right......as with most things
 
Buy the FMS gears and do it yourself.... All my guy did was swap them and my car was in spec... I wish I would have done them myself... Next time around as I am thinking 4.10's now... I put 60k on the 3.73s and wish I had more gear sometimes...
 
Have a shop OR have someone you know do it with you in your driveway. Get all new bearings as well. Be VERY careful when removing the differential pin bolt, they snap very easily and theyre hardened. Getting it out will really ruin your afternoon ;)
 
Have a shop OR have someone you know do it with you in your driveway. Get all new bearings as well. Be VERY careful when removing the differential pin bolt, they snap very easily and theyre hardened. Getting it out will really ruin your afternoon ;)

I had this problem. It just snapped the head off, leaving the threaded portion with the pin attached. I used a left handed drill bit and it just backed right out. Talk about lucky. :nice: lol

I did mine by myself in my garage. The most exotic tools I had were a magnetic indicator base and a 1" travel dial indicator. I got the bearing off the factory pinion by laying a large flat chisel under the edge of it and smacking it once with a hammer. It slid right off and I re-used the factory shim on my FMS gears. Once I got efficient at pulling the carrier and adjusting the side shims, it was a piece of cake to get it dialed in. No noise, no problems at this point. Even after changing carriers to the open 31 spline with a mini-spool.

Just be prepared to stink like nasty old gear oil for a week after you're done. That stuff doesn't go away! :mad:

Scott
 
I remember years ago i called a local shop and they quoted me 200, but that was back around 2000 or so. Everyone says "gears are probably the best bang for the buck" but with prices like 600-700 to swap, not much of a value!

I will invest in some tools, learn this swap and start banking cash myself by doing it for others.
 
I remember years ago i called a local shop and they quoted me 200, but that was back around 2000 or so. Everyone says "gears are probably the best bang for the buck" but with prices like 600-700 to swap, not much of a value!

I will invest in some tools, learn this swap and start banking cash myself by doing it for others.

Those sound like all in prices (gears, labor, oil, bearings, etc). When I said 3.5 - 4 hrs I was giving you the ability to calculate the cost based on labor rates in your area. They are NOT the same across North America. I would think that you may be able to negotiiate for a labor only rate these days.
 
Generally gear installs will run you around 600-800 dollars. Most shops are gonna charge you around 5 hours labor. Factor in the price of the gear, and the price of the bearings, and the price of fluid and friction modifier......not quite that cheap. A professional shop will also have a pinion depth tool (not cheap by any means).

You can do it yourself, no problem. Just take your time and make sure you're within spec backlash. I've found that being around .011 to .014 is a decent backlash. After that make sure you do a pattern check. You can check online for pattern charts.

You just don't want it too loose or too tight...just right......as with most things

Pinion depth tools arne that bad really, this is the one i plan on using in the near future

Ratech 10006 - Ratech Pinion Depth Setting Tools
 
I'm a hands on kinda guy as I turn my own wrenches and do all the
tuning on my little GT

I always encourage peeps to do things themselves :nice:

Now ... If you don't know what you are doing with this job

You can ruin a gearset in a heart beat :eek:
and
They will howl like a Banshee forever :rlaugh: :bang:

If you are good at networking, you should be able to make youself
a gearhead friend who has experience with this kinda thing

Beat the bushes and find a mehanic who does side line work from his house

There is always a way to get a deal in matters such as this :D

If you do it yourself .......

Take the time to do the research so ....

You'll be equipped to do it right ... The first time :Word:

Grady