ARB in 9" Install Question

[00gyrhed]

The instructions that came with the ARB say to grind 2mm (5/64ths) of clearance between the ARB carrier housing and the pinion nose bearing housing. I looked a the pictures and cut it down by eye and removed quite a bit of metal before checking but I went as far as I wanted to go, but once assembled I only have .020". (.5mm)

Why, heck Ford didn't give the ring gear that much clearance at the back of the support. I only have .014" at the ring gear and the back side of this housing and I have.020" at the nose between the ARB carrier.

2mm is quite a bit more metal to remove and I don't really want to grind that much metal off that nose for no reason other than ARB wants to be sure it NEVER hits even when the silly thing comes apart. I loose a carrier bearing and the ring gear is going to hit hard long before this housing makes a glancing blow against the nose.

should I cut more clearance for both and give the ring gear more clearance than Ford did? possibly weakening the nose support even more? Or is this not a big deal?

 

[broncnaz]

Half the issue is when lower gears are used they are thicker so there is less clearance most of the time its recommened that the gears be ground for clearance some gears come already clearanced. Id clearance the gear itself a little more.
Are you checking the clearance with the gears preloaded? While I think you should be fine with the clearance on the locker but its up to you. Its kinda more so it wont hit when the gears deflect or the bearings wear a little. Of course the gears will deflect to opposite side so that shouldnt be a issue. Id look at it this way housings are a lot cheaper than a new locker.

 

[cs_88]

There is a picture from Viperwolf in this thread that shows the clearancing needed for the ARB.

Hope it helps.

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=212627

 

[Viperwolf1]

In mine I had no problems with the gear. It was the diff that was hitting. Ford diffs were thinner in that area. I haven't broken anything in there yet.