[Codeman]

SO I finally installed my 3.73 gears, bearing kit, and tlok in my car. I had a couple problems with the install, but nothing major, it just took some extra time. Im just going to break them in, and then I will post the numbers comparing rpms to mph between my stock 3.27 and the new 3.73s. I can already tell they are going to make a huge difference in performance. The tlok is amazing for the winter, my car barely spins with my studded snow tires now that i have both tires going.

I do however have a slight problem. I have a little whine in 3rd and 4 th gear only when I accelerate, as soon as i let off gas or push clutch in it goes away. It is weird, Im hoping it goes away once the gears get worn some. If not when i change the fluid at 2000 miles I may be re shimmin and adjusting my backlash and hopefully correcting the problem.

[Codeman]

so does the gear whine at higher speeds sound like an incorrect backlash problem? I am just curious. And I know that I am going to get a 100 posts saying this is why you do not do it, but I am going to school for this, and you actually learn best from your mistakes. And I wanted to understand how to do it.

Here is the exact situation when I am in first and second the gears do not whine, they whine most at about 40 mph under slight acceleration. I just want to do it correctly. I am waiting for the 2000 mile mark for when I remove the old fluid and switch and then check the backlash, contact pattern, and then the carrier preload to make sure it is tight. Is this ok? or is it to late and could cause the gears to get messed up while im driving for the 2000miles? The whine is not really loud, it is just a slight whine.

I would appreciate if you would keep the comments saying i was stupid for doing it and this is what happens to a minimum. thanks.

[RFM 40th V6]

A little bit of whine isn't a problem and if it's not a constant loud whine you should be ok.

What was your pinion preload and ring gear back lash?

[ESG-642T]

Is it a high pitched whine?

The thing about gears is if you drive them with incorrect lash set, and they wear incorrectly it'll be pretty hard to get a good wear pattern with them later on. (not sure if that makes sense?)

[Codeman]

ok, on both, and the bearing preload was 18in lbs. The backlash was .010. I will check tom when I drive my car and see what kind of a whine it is for sure. And i was wondering if they would wear funny and then when I would adjust it it could lead to problems. I will listen really close tom and post an update.

As far as being constant it is not constant, it is only between like 40 and 50mph. and i was wondering if maybe i didnt get enough carrier preload, i followed the process of using a .020 feeler gauge then i added a .004 for preload. It is pretty tough to get the carrier out, not as hard as it was stock, I had to use my huge pry bar, but to get it out with the new one I could get it out with out as much work with the pry bar. Could that be it?

And thanks for keepin the me being an idiot comment to urself lol . It was the first one that I did where I had to change backlash, but i figured I would learn from it, and I understood how to adjust it, but it was more difficult than i thought, but im learning.

[ESG-642T]

Well, I wouldn't say your an idiot. I just would rather not people ending up spending the price of another set of gears, and then install. I usually practice on something I don't need before I do it to my DD.

[Codeman]

ya ik. It was kind of dumb. I thought it would not be so difficult, but i see why it is not recommended for someone who does not know. I had classes on it, and I still had some minor troubles, and now I will have to take more time if my backlash is incorrect. Oh well lol i guess i will learn for next time at least. And I will post and let you know about what kind of whine it sounds like tom when i drive my car.

If i did not put enough preload on the carrier bearings would it cause a high speed whine? jc. Or would that be backlash or improper contact pattern?

[RFM 40th V6]

When you set pinion preload did you make sure to lube the new bearings if not you may have less preload than you need. A dry bearing will be harder to turn and thus cause an inaccurate preload.

Usually whine is caused by too little or too much back lash or the pinion being in too far. I'm not saying that this is your problem but that's the most common causes. Sometimes gears just have a whine to them.

Mine have a whine but nothing to be concerned about. I've inspected the gears since the install and they are fine.

Also just incase you didn't know pinion preload is used to set the depth of the pinion and the carrier shims are used to set back lash.

[Codeman]

ya, i know about the backlash and the pinion depth. The whine is not really high pitched, it is hard to explain it just sounds like almost like how your transmission makes noise in reverse if you have a manual that is what it sounds liike from only 40-55mph. I did notice however today that it did go down some. I mean it is getting quieter. Maybe the gears are wearing in. My plan is to go easy on the gears for a hundered more miles which should be about 300-350 ish more miles, then ease into some full throttle and still kind of take it easy until 500 miles.

I will not adjust anything quite yet. Im going to wait until I change the fluid at 2000 miles. Then I will check the back lash, and contact pattern. Just to double check.

[Jessn29]

awesome

[Codeman]

so the gears are finally getting broken in, and i have started to give the car more throttle slowly. Keep looking for an update posting the numbers between the stock ratio and 3.73s on a manual. I have a couple speeds and rpms left to do and then I will post.

I just want to say tho, i was on 3/4 throttle in second gear, and wow it was rediculous the acceleration was insane my car seems so much faster. well just my opinion, by far the best mod i have done to my car.

[goren813]

[BlueStang04V6]

I've been watching this thread, i'm glad to hear that everything seems to be working out for you. I'll still be watching to see what you think about the gears and he difference, but from what you said already it seems like they are badass!

[Codeman]

just actually posted a thread with the speeds check it out. and im gonna go ahead this coming weekend and check the backlash and gear contact, just to make sure that the noise is just the gears are noisy. I would rather pay 15 in fluids to make sure and not have to spend 170 for new gears. Just a little peace of mind.

[cusp]

3.73s made a nice improvement in acceleration and made it easier on the clutch to get it rolling. Good choice. Whine could also be the gear set. Unlucky in the draw. Where did you come up with the 2000 mile oil change? Its not in the Ford Maintenance schedule is why I ask.

[Codeman]

well people on here say that at 2000 miles after putting in new gears you should change the fluid. I am not at 2000 miles yet, but i just want to make sure the whine is just that the gears are noisy, and the pinion depth, backlash, and preload are all correct. Because then it is just noisy gears. I just want to peace of mind.

[Codeman]

Update, so i went into my rearend yesterday. I found why it was so noisy, my dial indictaor must have been moving, or i must have been maybe measuring on the wrong part of the gear for backlash. I had too much backlash. It did not damage anything luckily, since i had only driven for about 200 miles. I re did the backlash and readjusted it. I am now positive that I have .010 backlash. I checked the contact pattern and everything and it was good. Knock on wood, I have driven about 40 miles on it and it makes zero noise. So i hope I fixed the problem.

[lcorriveau3]

Nice catch. Congrats on doing it yourself.

[Codeman]

Thanks. It took some time, and even after the slight whine, and having to adjust the backlash it was definately worth it. Now I know how to do it, and I will be able to do it to future cars I own, and I also saved money, but most of all it gave me that big smile knowing I did it myself

[RFM 40th V6]

How much backlash did you have before the adjustment?