ARB in a 14 Bolt- something's not right. (1 Viewer)

[LukeZero]

I started to put an ARB Air Locker in the 14 bolt full floater in the back of Bugly (Butt Ugly Cruiser) over the weekend. Followed all the directions. Reused the 5.13 'thick' ring gear. Used new carrier bearings and races. Didn't touch the pinion depth. Drilled and tapped the housing for the air line. Put the carrier into place and it won't turn. Seems to be some interference with the housing. ARBs literature suggests there are some housings that will need to be 'clearanced' to allow the carrier to fit.

So I study the picture, pull the pinion out, stuff rags into the axle tubes, get out the angle grinder and go to town.


THREE TIMES!!!

Reinstall the pinion, reinstall the carrier (fxxxers heavy, especially when the differential is tipped way up because of the short rear driveshaft) and find that I haven't ground the part that hits yet.

Did I mention that I did this THREE TIMES?

Anyone have a good picture of what a 'clearanced' housing looks like inside? Maybe if I see what the hell it's supposed to look like- I can get this right and reassemble my rear axle.

Thanks for the help,

Luke

PS. This is posted over on Pirate also- just looking for as much info as I can get.

 

[Mace]

You got a pic of where it is hitting?

 

[LukeZero]

Not yet- my next step is to put some Prussian Blue on the ARB- reinstall it and see where the blue marks are on the housing. Otherwise I'm just grinding the s*** out of it-hoping to affect the right place.

Once I get a picture- I'll post it up here and on Pirate to hopefully save someone else some trouble.

Luke

 

[peesalot]

Hey dude, its your best travel buddy.
FWIW pm Tech Tim on pirate or check out the pirate tech I believe BillaVista did a write up on the 14 bolt arb.

 

[LukeZero]

Hey Mellonhead- Sometimes I overlook the obvious- like "why don't I ask the tech guy from ARB". I PM'ed him and he responded in that thread. The general consensus is that I haven't ground the correct place yet. Will try some more.

Luke

 

[Eskimo]

Try grinding on the INSIDE of the housing rather than the outside..

 

[LukeZero]

D'oh- that's what I've been doing wrong


Thanks for your input.

 

[LukeZero]

OK- I coated the backside of the carrier (ie non- ring gear side) with blue bearing grease and tightened up the bearing caps until I could just turn the pinion. Looked for where the grease had accumulated on the two reinforcing ribs that the ARB literature suggests "might" be a problem. I had one little spot that needed ground off. Pulled the pinion one more time, ground that spot down about .125"- reinstalled the pinion and carrier. No rubbing. So I set the backlash to about .008", checked the gear pattern- it looks like the pattern with the old welded carrier in place. Routed the 1/8" copper line up through the housing and reinstalled the heavy ass RuffStuff Specialties differential cover- which by the way, has no fill plug- and I find out that I have no funnel small enough to fill the differential through the breather hose. Off to the hardware store.


Sorry, no pictures of what a clearanced housing looks like- I didn't know if I was done until I installed it the last time and just couldn't bring myself to wrestle it out again just for some pictures.

Luke

 

[Ashtony]

Hopefully it works out for you mate, its a headache, hope it goes well.

 

[Mace]

OK- I coated the backside of the carrier (ie non- ring gear side) with blue bearing grease and tightened up the bearing caps until I could just turn the pinion. Looked for where the grease had accumulated on the two reinforcing ribs that the ARB literature suggests "might" be a problem. I had one little spot that needed ground off. Pulled the pinion one more time, ground that spot down about .125"- reinstalled the pinion and carrier. No rubbing. So I set the backlash to about .008", checked the gear pattern- it looks like the pattern with the old welded carrier in place. Routed the 1/8" copper line up through the housing and reinstalled the heavy ass RuffStuff Specialties differential cover- which by the way, has no fill plug- and I find out that I have no funnel small enough to fill the differential through the breather hose. Off to the hardware store.


Sorry, no pictures of what a clearanced housing looks like- I didn't know if I was done until I installed it the last time and just couldn't bring myself to wrestle it out again just for some pictures.

Luke

You should have a fill plug on the PS of the 14 bolt housing.

 

[LukeZero]

Yeah- I have that but mine doesn't move- even with an impact wrench- it almost looks like someone welded the plug in- that's why I thought it would be easier to just fill it down the vent tube.

 

[Mace]

Just saying, there is a reason the RS Diff cover does not have a fill plug. I know of only a few 14 bolt diff covers that actually do have a fill plug..

You really would be better off making the stock fill plug work again. I doubt someone welded it in. 14 bolts SUCK to weld to.

 

[zebrabeefj40]

Yeah- I have that but mine doesn't move- even with an impact wrench- it almost looks like someone welded the plug in- that's why I thought it would be easier to just fill it down the vent tube.

It moved when I put oil in the diff after installing the cover. Of course it was pretty darn cold outside when I did it...but I can tell you without a doubt it was not welded when I dropped it off at yer shop!

Nick

 

[LukeZero]

Righty- loosey. lefty- tighty right?