derf

I'm right behind ya, in about 5 months. I figure I should probably decide what I want to do when I grow up.

The Older Dana 44's had shims between the bearing and the carrier. I have done 3 of them (2 full size Wagoneer, one XJ) with setup bearings. Very easy to do that way. I just did gears on an 04 Rubicon (same basic Dana 44 center section) and the shims were between the race and the housing. The case spreader really helped but I really like them in between the carrier and bearing. They're a lot easier to manage that way.

I've done several sets of gears. If the shims are between the bearing and the carrier, having setup bearings makes things easier. If they're between the race and the differential housing, your job is easier. I've seen shims both ways and they can vary on the same brand axle from one year period to another. Whatever you do, you stay with the way the axle is set up right now. A dial indicator to measure backlash is is important: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UMD1K2M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Having a case spreader makes things easier but isn't vital. I've done it both ways. I like having the case spreader. Since you're only doing the carrier, you can skip a couple of the tools. The pinion needs the inch-pound rotational torque indicator and a very big torque wrench (200 ft-lb or bigger). But you're not touching the pinion so you don't need that. The bearing retainer caps must go back on exactly how they come off. Mark them so that you know not only which side is which, but which end is "up". Always put them back on exactly the same way. Every time. No exceptions. Step one is to do an initial pattern before you do anything else. Use the gear marking compound and run the pinion over it a couple of times. Take a picture. That's where you want to get back to. Step two is to remove the carrier and measure the shim packs that come out of the axle. BE VERY CAREFUL TO NOT MIX UP WHICH SIDE THE SHIMS ARE ON. Step three is to use the shims out of the axle with the new carrier. DO NOT USE ANY OTHER SHIMS TO START. Step four is to install the carrier, run a pattern, and measure backlash. Step five is to evaluate the pattern. If it's off, adjust the shims and go back to step four. If it matches the original pattern, you're done. Step 6 is to finish installation. If you had to use setup bearings, press on the real bearings. Reinstall everything and torque to spec. Hose out the differential with some brake cleaner at least. Inspect the seals and bearings out at the ends of the axle shaft. Replace if you think it's warranted. Button it all up and fill. Drain and check the fluid after about 500 miles.

I got pulled over on suspicion of speeding in a small town in TX. Hit me with a tint ticket. Of course, it was cheaper to pay the ticket than to fight it even though he likely didn't have the radar gun logs to show he even tagged me for the alleged speeding (since I wasn't speeding). I hate small town cops who write BS tickets.

So the seller, who has been sitting on this overpriced house for almost 2 months, is being a pain to deal with. He ended up getting 3 offers (one mine) today. He doesn't want to work with an escalation clause. So it's time to move on. 3 up, 3 down. End of an inning. Time for the 7th inning stretch.

I'll hear back on an offer probably today. Hopefully this one works out.

It should be an NV3550. Just as good as the AX-15, more or less.

Are you sure there's any oil in it?

I looked at 7 houses this weekend It looks like the house with a 3 car garage is going to be a miss. The one with the parts washer is still a possibility. I hate house hunting.

Obligatory...

On the advice of council I decline to answer because I honestly feel my answer could tend to incriminate me.

I got mine in college. I was in a fraternity. Alcohol was involved. For the rest of the story I plead the fifth.

On other forums, I've seen oil threads blow up worse than any political thread. It's always entertaining to watch. I think people here are much more level headed though so I don't suppose that will happen here. I haven't used that brand before. Haven't even heard of it. I suspect it's just putting a specific label on bulk products they source from somewhere else. I bet that if you change fluids and filters on schedule and get rid of the milk shake in the differential, you should have decent luck just like any other moderately priced store brand.

I have 2 more to look at tomorrow and Saturday. It's been on the market a while so I don't need to be in a hurry with this one.

Looked at a house today with a parts washer and a 220v drop in the insulated heated garage. I'm a fan.

Yeah, that sounds fishy. If he had lifted it by the frame it wouldn't have come apart like that. I bet he deliberately lifted by the body, leaving the frame hanging loose, so that he could push it around and line up the bolts to get them started.

Yeah, given my chosen profession I have limited options on where to buy. Best I can do is to not have any HOA.

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that they were lifting on the body and not the frame.

Congrats.

Yep. No way I'm buying a house with foundation issues. I've been working through the list of good candidates that fall through for one reason or another. Found one that was really great but a bidding war erupted before I even got my offer in. It was way above estimate so I walked away. I'm going to go look at 2 more houses tomorrow though. I hate house shopping.

On his Facebook post he calls it a camping trailer. It's probably converted into a flat sleeping area with maybe some room for gear. The 35" tires on a Dana 35 would make me a bit skittish about buying it.

That air hammer effect happens in a lot of cars. My Subaru does it bad.

You probably meant to say 99.99999%. 0.99999999% would imply that 99.00000001% of guns were used in mass/accidental shootings.

I have a set in a case, like this one. https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-2-Inch-Socket-Metric-6-Point/dp/B01LYZ2IJ5/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?keywords=tekton+1%2F2+socket+set&qid=1582307609&sprefix=tekton+1&sr=8-5