Harbor Freight, maybe? quality is a crap-shoot, but they get the job done 
(usually)
(usually)
Tools for differential rebuild
I want to start buying the tools I will need for rebuilding/ re-gearing my differentials, I have a FMS that tell me all the special tools that I will need and I know that I can buy them from millerspecialstools.com. The only problem is that they are so expensive. I haven't asked matco or snap-on dealers in my area. Does any body know where I can buy these tools for a bit cheaper.
Thanks.
Thanks.
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
Use your Google-Fu, those tools are available on the net.
I just installed gears in my TJ.I want to start buying the tools I will need for rebuilding/ re-gearing my differentials, I have a FMS that tell me all the special tools that I will need and I know that I can buy them from millerspecialstools.com. The only problem is that they are so expensive. I haven't asked matco or snap-on dealers in my area. Does any body know where I can buy these tools for a bit cheaper.
Thanks.
Every thing I needed I got from Harbor Freight.
Large earring puller Large Bearing Separator
Magnetic base Multipositional Magnetic Base with Fine Adjustment
6" Calipers 6" Digital Caliper
Dial Indicators 1" Travel Machinist's Dial Indicator
In top of that basic hand tools and a die grinder to make a set of set up bearings and you have everything you need to get install a set of gears.
Enjoy.
Troy
Having the tools is one thing.....knowing how to use them and set the gears up is another.
Gear work is brain damage IMOP. It will take you 4-6 hrs PER set if you are lucky and have all the shimms, and tool, and know what you are doing. Not to mention $300 in tools.
Unless you plan on doing your axles, your buddies axles, and 14 other axles....I would just have them done. Gearwork can be found pretty cheap on Craiglist :cheers2:
Gear work is brain damage IMOP. It will take you 4-6 hrs PER set if you are lucky and have all the shimms, and tool, and know what you are doing. Not to mention $300 in tools.
Unless you plan on doing your axles, your buddies axles, and 14 other axles....I would just have them done. Gearwork can be found pretty cheap on Craiglist :cheers2:
But it is something that is nice to know, should your axle break you could fix it yourself, to me it knowledge that is beneficial and if you have spare time you can do gearwork on CL and make some extra money to pay for more parts or to recover you new tools expense.Having the tools is one thing.....knowing how to use them and set the gears up is another.
Gear work is brain damage IMOP. It will take you 4-6 hrs PER set if you are lucky and have all the shimms, and tool, and know what you are doing. Not to mention $300 in tools.
Unless you plan on doing your axles, your buddies axles, and 14 other axles....I would just have them done. Gearwork can be found pretty cheap on Craiglist :cheers2:
well I have the knowledge but lack some of more speciality tools and as of this spring i will have 4 axles to do.
You also need an inch-lb torque wrench with an indicator which shows what the max torque was while you use the wrench to turn a pinion. I bought all my gear setting tools from ebay.
It costs way too much to have someone else setup gears for you. If you do it more than once the savings in labor will more than pay for the tools.
It costs way too much to have someone else setup gears for you. If you do it more than once the savings in labor will more than pay for the tools.
Also helps if you have a press.
Torin Hydraulic Shop Press - 12-Ton, Model# T51201 | Hydraulic Presses | Northern Tool + Equipment
And a 1/2" impact gun.
DW292 1/2" (13mm) Impact Wrench with Detent Pin Anvil | DEWALT Tools
If you plan on upgrading to a 8.25, you'll need to
buy or make a shim adjustment tool.
![]()
I also have several sets of set up bearings.
0.02
Torin Hydraulic Shop Press - 12-Ton, Model# T51201 | Hydraulic Presses | Northern Tool + Equipment
And a 1/2" impact gun.
DW292 1/2" (13mm) Impact Wrench with Detent Pin Anvil | DEWALT Tools
If you plan on upgrading to a 8.25, you'll need to
buy or make a shim adjustment tool.
I also have several sets of set up bearings.
0.02
Did any of you use a clam-sheel type bearing puller? If so where did you buy it from? or is it not needed but for certain axles?
i have all the generic tools impact gun & sockets. I know I prob going to get flamed but i am going to regear my D30 & D35 only because I don't go off roading anymore and I want to keep my ABS. As far i understand that if I go to a 8.25 or a D44 than I lose the ABS plus I know one of those axles needs some fab work which I don't have the means to do.
I used these as well re-gearing my Cherokee a few weekends ago.I just installed gears in my TJ.
Every thing I needed I got from Harbor Freight.
Large earring puller Large Bearing Separator
Magnetic base Multipositional Magnetic Base with Fine Adjustment
6" Calipers 6" Digital Caliper
Dial Indicators 1" Travel Machinist's Dial Indicator
In top of that basic hand tools and a die grinder to make a set of set up bearings and you have everything you need to get install a set of gears.
Enjoy.
Troy
I also used their hydrolic press quite extensivly - couldn't not have done it without that.
I needed a digital micrometer for measuring shims accurately. I used this rather than calipers.
A nice to have tool was the harbor freight seal and race driver but not needed.
I needed an inch pound bar torque wrench along with adaptors to go up to 1/2" drive for it to fit the pinion socket and check that preload.
A dremel to make setup bearings especially in the front end.
The master install kit came with my gear marking compound, and new bearings - I used my old ones as the setup bearings.
Whiskey
I installed the rear end gears and Detroit Locker in my Jeep, and am pretty handy with the tools (doing side work for many people I know on all sorts of cars.) I wouldn't dare accept gear work for pay. Too much chance of costly error. If you screw up, you will kill any profit you made when you have to buy a new gear set and reinstall it.
The only tools I had to buy were a 3/4 socket and breaker bar to fit the pinion nut (my 1/2" impact wrench wouldn't touch my pinion nut), a dial indicator, magnetic stand, and a set of dial calipers. Plus I had to make a pinion holder out of a 5' long piece of breaker bar.
One other problem I ran into was the selection of shims included in the 'master installation kit' were woefully inadequate. I had to order an assortment of shims separately, plus a few extra crush sleeves.
The only tools I had to buy were a 3/4 socket and breaker bar to fit the pinion nut (my 1/2" impact wrench wouldn't touch my pinion nut), a dial indicator, magnetic stand, and a set of dial calipers. Plus I had to make a pinion holder out of a 5' long piece of breaker bar.
One other problem I ran into was the selection of shims included in the 'master installation kit' were woefully inadequate. I had to order an assortment of shims separately, plus a few extra crush sleeves.
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
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