Lock washers on ring gear
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 250
Likes: 6
Lock washers on ring gear
I just got my rebuilt diff for my 81. I bolted it up before sealing it to make sure there were no issues. As it turns out the ring gear bolts are hitting the inside of the carrier on the side where the vent is. The reason they are hitting is that the rebuilt diff has lock washers. My old diff didn't have them. So here is my question. Do I remove the lock washers or shave the inside of the carrier to allow for clearance? Thanks for your help!
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 577
Likes: 6
Stop driving it and immediately contact the rebuilder or vendor you got it from. Don't change or alter anything without speaking to someone first. If they tell you to take a flying leap then we can walk you through an inspection process to find out what is really wrong. I have seen a lot of lock washers used on rebuilds and rubbing wasn't an issue.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 250
Likes: 6
I contacted the rebuilder. He said that it happens occasionally with the 80-82 rear end carriers. Looks like I'll be shaving that side down. I didn't want to mess with those bolts anyway. I know why they are there. Man I'm glad I did a dry fit first!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Call your "rebuilder" (and I use that term loosely), and tell him to provide you with the proper bolts for it. There's a reason why he did what he did.....it's cheaper!!! Who knows what grade of bolt he used for that rear gear? You need the proper grade and type of bolt for the ring gear. Take digital photos of the installed wrong bolts so that you can back-up your claim.
If you paid this "rebuilder" with a credit card, you can hold that over him. Most credit companies will withhold payment or debit a payment [made to him already] back into their coffers of there is a dispute. If he won't come across with the bolts or the money to buy the proper bolts and install them, the credit company may be willing to 'dock' his bill by that much.
If he doesn't resolve this issue properly, never go back to him again and tell anyone looking for a mechanic not to go to him.
If you paid this "rebuilder" with a credit card, you can hold that over him. Most credit companies will withhold payment or debit a payment [made to him already] back into their coffers of there is a dispute. If he won't come across with the bolts or the money to buy the proper bolts and install them, the credit company may be willing to 'dock' his bill by that much.
If he doesn't resolve this issue properly, never go back to him again and tell anyone looking for a mechanic not to go to him.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 250
Likes: 6
I take pictures of everything. I wouldn't have known it was the lock washers if I didn't have pictures of my old diff. Like you said it didn't have locking washers. The casting on my carrier is thicker at the point where the bolts hit it so I shouldn't have to shave the whole side down to get them to clear. I don't want to have to do this again.
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