New Gear Break In?

Steve · Aug 3, 2006

I just got done helping a buddy install ARBs & 4.88 gears front & rear. All of the gear installs I've done for the past few years have been in trail-only rigs, or in a front axle with lockouts, where it's not really an issue. This vehicle will see street and highway driving, as well as serious rock crawling. Besides not jumping on the interstate right away and driving at sustained highway speeds, what gear break in should he do?

TIA

SaddleUp · Aug 3, 2006

The biggest issue is getting them hot before the pattern is worn into them. Keep trips down to under 20 to 30 minutes for the first couple hundred miles then change the gear oil. Some people run them on stands to break them in but IMO that doesn't give a proper break in. (There should be some resistance to keep the gears meshed solid)

SteveL · Aug 3, 2006

I think it calls for one samll drive like said above. Then after cooling another drive on the road for longer. Can't remember the mile amounts but the second trip was about an hour on surface streets in the city.

broncnaz · Aug 3, 2006

one recommended way is to drive it for 15min then allow to cool before driving another 15 min. and cooling again then drive it easy for the first 500 miles then change the oil you should be good to go.

Steve · Aug 4, 2006

Thanks for the replies guys. On another forum I was pointed to this info on gear break in from Randy's Ring & Pinion - good info.

New Gear Break In?

Steve

Bronco Guru

SaddleUp

Bronco Guru

SteveL

Huge chevy guy

broncnaz

Bronco Guru

Steve

Bronco Guru

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