Definitely got myself in over my head trying to rebuild a differential but isn't the first or last time I'll do that.

Im just looking for some help interpreting this gear pattern.


I thought it might be okay given this chart.

But the sounds it's now making are awful. It started out as a whine on deceleration and coasting only. But now also has more of a constant grinding type noise.

 

You didnt put quite enough paste on there to get a good pattern reading. You arent really looking at the yellow but instead, you are looking at the dark marks in the center of the yellow. From what I can read off it, its not good.

The whining normally indicates that the gears are not set correctly and the grinding typically comes back as a bad bearing (pinion bearing if I had to guess). Time to pop it back open and inspect everything again.

 

I've been working in a plant that has been building diffs for almost 20 years. Although it's a assembly line and I'm in maintenance I know the principles and the process and it's still one job that gives me the jibbers to do myself!

 

It's really not that difficult, just can be time consuming.

 

a few other bits of info would be useful.

What was the assemble back lash measured with a dial gauge ?

What was the pinion bearing pre load ( if measured )

That pattern doesnt show enough rotation, the dye is not spread, and did you load up the rotating members when taking the pattern ?

In addition I dont think your pattern is acceptable either

As I understand things, the most common problem with a new diff setup that is close but not quite right is the Pinion bearing responsible for holding pre-load no longer does after settling in

 

Alright I had abandoned the project for awhile but recently got back into it. After setting and resetting enough to lose track of how many times this is the current pattern. Backlash at .008



Below is the pattern I had prior which I felt looked better but backlash was significantly over spec after marking.