Differential setup tools

[jeeperjohn]

I really like that inner axle tube seal installer I saw on a few websites, I think I will get one sometime soon. I have been using some all thread and washers and nuts and it works but is a PITA sometimes.

 

[RWKHausSupply]

John... Have you tried just using a piece of 1.25" tube (mine is 36" long) matched to a either a ball joint adapter or a 1-1/8 or larger socket, and just hitting them in?

I tried what I found to be a PITA threaded tool years ago, then moved to just using a jack handle (some are the right OD but a dedicated tube is nice) and a good fitting socket or BJ adapter. It is SO much easier and faster and I have yet to ruin a seal. Those threaded things are difficult to get the seal started straight I found, and then distorts the seal.

With the tube method, it only takes one semi-big hit with a 4lb hammer to seat it, then 1-2 smaller taps with it to get it fully into place. I wouldn't use a threaded installed even if 20 were given to me.

 

[jeeperjohn]

John... Have you tried just using a piece of 1.25" tube (mine is 36" long) matched to a either a ball joint adapter or a 1-1/8 or larger socket, and just hitting them in?

I tried what I found to be a PITA threaded tool years ago, then moved to just using a jack handle (some are the right OD but a dedicated tube is nice) and a good fitting socket or BJ adapter. It is SO much easier and faster and I have yet to ruin a seal. Those threaded things are difficult to get the seal started straight I found, and then distorts the seal.

With the tube method, it only takes one semi-big hit with a 4lb hammer to seat it, then 1-2 smaller taps with it to get it fully into place. I wouldn't use a threaded installed even if 20 were given to me.

I tried that once and ruined a seal and had to cough up $15 for a replacement. It probably would have worked better with a tool that was welded together rather than just some pieces held in place but I never tried that method again. I have never damaged one with a threaded tool but they are kind of a pain. I think the manufactured tools available look easier to use than my threaded rod method.

 

[markw]

I've got the threaded seal install tool yukon sells, works fine, a little time consuming compared to driving them in, but not bad. Nice to know they went to an outboard shim in the later model stuff. I mostly deal with 30's and 44's. Occasionally a 9 or a 60.

 

[HavvkXJ]

Hi there,

Would you be buying this bearing race driver - https://www.ringpinion.com/b2c/ProductDetails.aspx?ProdID=5256
or there is something else to substitute it.

Rgds

 

[old_man]

I made a case spreader for the D44. It isn't really necessary on the D30/D35 but is real hand on D44's.

The other thing I use is a set of setup bearings. It saves a ton of pressing bearings on and off during setup.

 

[HavvkXJ]

Thx old_man

A practical questions
- do we really need set of bearing race drivers or you do it differently, how?
- the same for a pinion depth tool

Rgds

 

[trippled]

Bearing race drivers are nice because they're fast and won't hurt the bearing. There's other ways, maybe a brass drift, but if you plan on doing more than a few installs. I'd get the drivers. I've never used a depth gauge. It'd be nice, especially if you're starting from scratch, but a good one can be pretty expensive. I think a lot of people will tell you they get by fine without one.

 

[HavvkXJ]

Thx trippled, appreciate it.

 

[HavvkXJ]

Hopefully last question - what brand of bearing race drivers set are you using.
Yukon comes with a quality tools but so is the price, so just looking for the good alternatives.

Rgds

 

[md21722]

I assume he meant something like this

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-bearing-race-and-seal-driver-set-95853.html

I would shop around for any of these tools. Yukon would probably be the last name brand I chose for any of them.

 

[GordoSmasho]

I assume he meant something like this

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-bearing-race-and-seal-driver-set-95853.html

I would shop around for any of these tools. Yukon would probably be the last name brand I chose for any of them.

That is the set i use.

 

[trippled]

Pretty much. I use the Lisle ones at work. They look almost identical to the HF ones but have some more sizes.

 

[HavvkXJ]

wow, what a price difference. Thx for sharing

 

[RWKHausSupply]

So you are saying a alum set of drivers from HF is even in the same league? I had those years ago and warped and flattened out beyond bad in only a few months? Not to mention they were MM and didnt even fit some of the common applications...

I will take a picture of a few of mine now, that I have had now for about 6 years, at maybe 20 diffs a month, but only use each one maybe 2 times a month, when that application comes in and new bearings are installed. I do ALOT of JK's though and with 30-50K miles, bearings are a waste of $ to replace. I will post a picture once I get one later or in the morning.

 

[trippled]

I've never used the HF ones. I only said they look pretty much the same.

 

[md21722]

We were just talking about the style. I don't like the HF one's much either. They are aluminum and distort too easily. If you are only working on XJ axles then a few of the dealer tools make sense. I have the bearing race removal tools and pinion & carrier bearing installer tools. If you're doing many types of axles then that quickly becomes cost prohibitive by the time you start talking to the suppliers for Chrysler, Ford, etc.

 

[xcm]

What kinda material are the race drivers you use made out of?

 

[MoparManiac]

I've used the HF race/seal driver set on a few different diff setups now (and other applications) without an issue.

Granted I'm not doing 20 diffs a month, but I probably do 3-4 a year for friends/family.

 

[GordoSmasho]

I've used the HF race/seal driver set on a few different diff setups now (and other applications) without an issue.



Granted I'm not doing 20 diffs a month, but I probably do 3-4 a year for friends/family.

X2. If i were doing it for a living i would be using many different tools. But they get the job done for what i do.