Ring & Pinion brands

[BK_GrandMarquis]

What do you guys prefer? Ford Racing, Richmond, Precision Gear and so on. I read somewhere that one of them whine in normal use.

[BillyGman]

Another member and myself had a mild difference of opinion about the whining of Richmond gears. he said they don't unless they're installed improperly, and I said that although I'm fully aware of the fact that all gears will whine if they'r installed wrong, they're certain ratios of the Richmond gears that DO whine even when they're installed properly. i say that because I've riden in a friend's car that had the Richmond 4.11 ratio gears, and the thing sounded like a truck, and Richmond gear told me over the telephone that their gears that are taller than the 3.90 ratio (meaning higher numerically) do whine because iof the way the teeth are cut.


I don't intend to get into any debate over this (again), but I do want to bring up the fact that besides the possible whining that you might get with the Richmond 4.10's, 4.30's, and 4.56's in your Marauder, it would still be an easier installation process to stay with Ford gears since that's what's in your Marauder from the factory, and the two Marauder gear changes that I've performed myself, I was able to use the exact same pinion shims that came installed on the original factory pinion. yes, I still took the required measurements to double check that I had the correct shim thickness on the pinion gear,and the correct pinion depth, but it made life a whole lot easier during the installation to be ble to go with the same shim. And a gear swap is a big enough job as it is.

And I think that speaks volumes about how close the machining tolerences are of Ford gears form set to set. So even if the Richmond geards didn't make noise, I think it's still better to stay with Ford gears on a Ford rear end like our Marauders have. BTW, I'm not the only one who has had an easier installation with the Ford gears than some other brands of gears would've required, because I've read this same claim on some of the drivetrain info websites about Ford gears, and have talked to others who have done ring & pinion gear installations themselves using Ford gears in Ford rear ends like I have.

[RF Overlord]

BK:

While I have no direct experience with gears other than the Ford Racing brand, I second what Mr. Gman said ^^^. Why mess around with gears that may or may not have issues when the Ford Racing ones have been used by just about everyone on this board with no problems...

[fast Ed]

I've heard of noise issues with the Richmond gears in some 8.8" applications as well.

cheers,
Ed N.

[BADMERC]

Go with what Gman said. The Ford gears are great, and super easy to install.

[Fourth Horseman]

For me it was an easy decision. I had a local Ford dealership install them, and if I used Ford parts they'd honor my power-train warranty. If I went with another brand they wouldn't. I've had the Ford 4.10 gears for almost a year now with absolutely no problems.

[GodOSpeed]

Is it not marked on the pinion what shim to add to your existing shims on Ford Racing gears? If you are going to do this yourself don't forget the little bottle of friction modifier as so many have done. I just thought I'd save you a sleepless night or two on that $4.25 jug. Been there done that. lol

[BillyGman]

Is it not marked on the pinion what shim to add to your existing shims on Ford Racing gears? If you are going to do this yourself don't forget the little bottle of friction modifier as so many have done. I just thought I'd save you a sleepless night or two on that $4.25 jug. Been there done that. lolNOPE it isn't marked on Ford gears, because they're usually so close in tolerence, that you can use the same shim from the old pinion. They're not like Richmond gears that have a number on the pinion for the shim, and/or backlash. And BTW, that's a good point about the friction modifier being needed!!!

[RF Overlord]

I had a local Ford dealership install them, and if I used Ford parts they'd honor my power-train warranty.

You HAVE to keep rubbing my nose in it, don't you, Scott...my dealer told me to get bent when I asked for the same...but, then again, people frequently tell me to get bent...I have no idea why...

:lol:

[GodOSpeed]

NOPE it isn't marked on Ford gears, because they're usually so close in tolerence, that you can use the same shim from the old pinion. They're not like Richmond gears that have a number on the pinion for the shim, and/or backlash. And BTW, that's a good point about the friction modifier being needed!!!
Darn it Gman your bound and determined to have me rip these gears apart for the third time (twice for the squeak/pop) and check for mesh! My Ford Racing pinion was marked in yellow with +2 on it so I went ahead and threw the .02 shim in with it. :mad2: You must really know how much I love the smell of rear-end grease! YICK!

[BillyGman]

Darn it Gman your bound and determined to have me rip these gears apart for the third time (twice for the squeak/pop) and check for mesh! My Ford Racing pinion was marked in yellow with +2 on it so I went ahead and threw the .02 shim in with it. :mad2: You must really know how much I love the smell of rear-end grease! YICK!You're jogging my memory now!!!! Yes, now that you've mentioned it, I do remember reading something about Ford gears having a "+1",2, or 3 or -1, etc marked on them. So you're atleast partly correct. For some reason, the two gear sets that I installed didn't have that marked on there. Maybe nothing is marked on them, if they just happen to be right on the money. I dunno. :confused:

But either way, it's still neccessary to check the pinion depth after you put the pinion in there with the shims.Bottom line is, that if you set the backlash between 10-12 thousandths (some sources claim .008-.012"), and also got a good mesh pattern indicated with marking compound, then it was done right.

[BK_GrandMarquis]

Is it not marked on the pinion what shim to add to your existing shims on Ford Racing gears? If you are going to do this yourself don't forget the little bottle of friction modifier as so many have done. I just thought I'd save you a sleepless night or two on that $4.25 jug. Been there done that. lol

I was thinking about using Amsoil for the differential lube. I thought with synthetic, you didn't need the friction modifier. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[04MEMA]

I was thinking about using Amsoil for the differential lube. I thought with synthetic, you didn't need the friction modifier. Correct me if I'm wrong.


I once replaced the lube in my GN with Mobil1 and didn't add the friction modifier. Then I started hearing and feeling strange sounds when taking sharp turns, especially with a lot of people in the car. It needed frction modifier to fix it. So I think you need the modifier with synthectic, unless Amsoil adds it in their lube already.

[BUCKWHEAT]

What do you guys prefer? Ford Racing, Richmond, Precision Gear and so on. I read somewhere that one of them whine in normal use.

Ford Motorsport--My son is a mechanic and he said that he has never had trouble with Ford gears. Others, Richmond and the like, are not as user friendly,.

I put in Ford 4:10's and have never heard anything from them.

John

[valleyman]

I was thinking about using Amsoil for the differential lube. I thought with synthetic, you didn't need the friction modifier. Correct me if I'm wrong.


When the speed shop (which works on nothing but differentials and rear ends) installed my 4.10s I had them put in Amsoil gearlube. They said, without a doubt, the friction modifier had to go in, full synthetic or no full synthetic. Over 10k miles later, no issues, no noise. Conclusion: add the modifier.

[GodOSpeed]

I was thinking about using Amsoil for the differential lube. I thought with synthetic, you didn't need the friction modifier. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Just put it in its only 5 bucks!! And way easier to do when its on jack stands or the lift. (So you dont have to park the rear end in a big hole like I had to) That was almost too embarassing to type!! LOL

[BK_GrandMarquis]

Just put it in its only 5 bucks!! And way easier to do when its on jack stands or the lift. (So you dont have to park the rear end in a big hole like I had to) That was almost too embarassing to type!! LOL

The cost wasn't a problem. I just didn't want to mix substances that may break down or harm each other and end up ruining the rearend.

Once again, thanks for all the replies.