which is easier, replacing gears or replacing bearings?

[mike]

i have 2 rear axles, both are d35. 1 has bad bearings but good gears, other has bad gears but good bearings, i know the gears are a different ratio also but not sure what as i haven't opened them up yet. i want to make a useable axle out of the 2 but not sure which is easier to do. i know they are the cheap dana's and not the beefy 44 but it'll see highway use and not off-roading.

[aemsee]

Do the bearings. If you change gears you need to do the bearings anyhow. With a bearing change you really don't need to change any of the shims. Just make sure you keep them on the same side of the carrier. When you do gears you need to compensate for variance btwn gear set and you will need to remeasure and reshim everything to do it right.

[mike]

ok thats what i thought, it seemed easier to replace the bearings then mess with the gears and trying to get em all shimed up just right. thanks :cheers:

[Bounty Hunter]

If it's a 4wd, the gear ratio of the front axle will determine which rear axle you use.

 

If I were you, I would determine each gear ratio and use the one that works best for your truck and type of driving.