Need an expert opinion on ring gear
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 0
From: Monument Colorado
Need an expert opinion on ring gear
I'm looking for a 12-bolt for my daily driver and found one that looks pretty good except for one thing. The seller is very up-front and sent me pics of the ring gear that has some pitting on it. He said he rebuilt the rear, but put the ring gear back in because it is dated coded. Dates don't matter to me, but I don't know if the pits will cause a problem or not. Any opinions? Thanks!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Re: Need an expert opinion on ring gear (Tex71BB)
NO i ain't a expert, BUT it isn't worth the labor risk to have it fail, i've seen
pitting like that before, and my buddies dad (tempers steel) told us it was
quenced wrong, my 2cents
pitting like that before, and my buddies dad (tempers steel) told us it was
quenced wrong, my 2cents
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Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Corsicana, Tx
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Re: Need an expert opinion on ring gear (Tex71BB)
It's a gamble. What are you going to do with it? Lo HP daily driver? I've seen some pretty pitted up ones work well actually. Usually damaged from rust as they sit around for a long time. If it's already together and the price was cheap, I'd throw it in there, once again if it's just a mild deal. It's not a big deal if the pinion gets chewed up since they are replaced in sets anyway.
You'll know within 50 miles if it will work. It may be a little noisy at first. I assume these are used gears? Hopefully it was set up the same as before.
If it doesn't work, you're stuck with changing it all. Not sure if you can do it yourself, so labor could enter in here.
JIM
You'll know within 50 miles if it will work. It may be a little noisy at first. I assume these are used gears? Hopefully it was set up the same as before.
If it doesn't work, you're stuck with changing it all. Not sure if you can do it yourself, so labor could enter in here.
JIM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 39
From: Fremont CA
Re: Need an expert opinion on ring gear (427Hotrod)
I wouldn't use them! The damage depends on how deep the corrosion is, you probably should pass on these or purchase a new set. One other thing to think about, if the gears have rusted how good do you think critical parts like bearings are going to be? I always "wet" my gears with lube or motorcycle chain spray if they are going into long term storage.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,063
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From: Monument Colorado
Re: Need an expert opinion on ring gear (Tex71BB)
Thanks for the replies. The rear would be going behind my 350 horse 396 daily driver (no strip duties). The guy says he replaced bearings, seals, etc. but put the gear back in because it matched the other date codes (like anyone's ever going to check that!). He's asking $1,000 which, from what I've seen is a pretty average price for a rebuilt 12 bolt. If there's a risk that I'll have to change out the ring and pinion, I'm thinking I may offer him $650 and see what he says. I've been looking for several months and this is the first potential decent one I've seen local - it costs a couple of hundred extra to get one shipped from somewhere else. You think $650 would be a good offer?????
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne Australia
Re: Need an expert opinion on ring gear (Tex71BB)
Tex, $650 sounds like reasonable offer. New gears and labour should run you at around $350.
Don't use that crownlwheel that is in the picture, it's garbage :(
Don't use that crownlwheel that is in the picture, it's garbage :(
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Re: Need an expert opinion on ring gear (Tex71BB)
$1000 sounds ridiculous to me! Have you hit swap meets? Camaro/Nova ones cost, but Chevelle types can be had for much less than that.
I was thinking this was a super low$$ stock 10bolt sort of throwaway type deal.
It would have to have good aftermarket axles, killer posi and gears to rate that much for a used one.
JIM
I was thinking this was a super low$$ stock 10bolt sort of throwaway type deal.
It would have to have good aftermarket axles, killer posi and gears to rate that much for a used one.
JIM
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,063
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From: Monument Colorado
Re: Need an expert opinion on ring gear (427Hotrod)
Actually Moser wants $1965 for a built 12 bolt - $2,075 with c-clip eliminators. I've shopped around some (not enough) and I was thinking a good working posi rear for $1,000 was a fair deal. I do need to try swap meets, though - haven't been able to get to one since I picked up the car. The good thing is, I have a perfectly good non-posi 10 bolt in there now, so I don't have to rush into it.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Need an expert opinion on ring gear (Tex71BB)
Is that pitting or is it really galling caused by improper setup and high loads. Metal might actually be torn off the ring gear.
I wouldn't touch it.
I wouldn't touch it.