Re: US-Gear 12-bolt pro gear issues ???
 

Again, thank you all very much for the replies. Going through my records over the years, I have had from .023 to .032 pinion shim, and in the beginning I didn't even measure pinion depth, I just started with a .020 and focused on pattern and went from there. So I tend to think my .032" is not likely in left field. I do believe I got myself crossed up though with the cheap Proform tool that had my depth off by .008" compared to a ground flat bar, and a depth mic which is what I just did this time to look into it further, (albeit using the cap face as Centerline, which I still have to look into and understand.)

But I have good preload on pinion and carrier, I have a good looking drive paste pattern, and .008" backlash. So the axles are going back in and its all get buttoned up to run the Dutch.
I do think I will be ordering a Richmond set to put in over the winter however. It will be very interesting to see how that set is with essentially the same setup values.

I must admit, I am still somewhat wondering if my housing has had some warpage/movement over the years, because I will say I always have had a loud coastdown after clicking it into clean neutral. Its just that with this set, it is crazy loud, and I really got concerned when I could feel individual vibration pulses as it coasted to a stop, and as I gravity rolled down the staging lanes at the grove last week..

Thanks again to everyone. This forum is a blessing. Googling this kind of detail gets you pages of some guy on a Chevelle or Camaro street forum talking about how great so and so company is that he bought his entire rear-end from...


Kp

Re: US-Gear 12-bolt pro gear issues ???
 

I run the same gear in mine with no issues. 5:57 US pro gear. I have found in most cases that a .035-.037 pinion shim is right on the money. .008-.011 BL. Pattern is right on the money both sides. But that doesn't mean you got a bad set. A few years ago we had set of Richmond pro gears in my wifes car. Set them up with a perfect pattern. 20 runs they sheared all the teeth off. Only conclusion we came up with is that they weren't heat treated properly or were a set of street gears marked as a pro gear set.

Re: US-Gear 12-bolt pro gear issues ???
 

Pattern and backlash is the only thing that is necessary. I haven?t used a pinion depth device in thirty years and haven?t had any breakage or noises.

Re: US-Gear 12-bolt pro gear issues ???
 

Kevin
I recommend the T&D pinion depth tool....also shows you how to set up gears without any pinion depth numbers on them, works great. I have only used it and before, I believe maybe Kent-Moore my Dad has had since the 60's,in a white plastic case.
On my stocker a few years ago, I put a shim behind rear pinion race ... so far every pinion I put in it comes out to the correct depth, for that pinion, with that same shim....
Every now and then you get a gear set that you have to move around from pinion depth, backlash setting that's on gear.
i had a US gear I tried,didn't work.. took it out and after it was ran and the black oxide was worn off.the finish on the gear was rough ground look,the black oxide was hiding