Mini spool install

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Mini spool install

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Mini spool install - 4/23/2007 6:04:23 AM

zero psi

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From: maynard, MA
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A mini spool is a device witch permenantly lock both rear axles together. Unlike a locker, they do not unlock in turns to allow the two rear wheels to spin at different speeds. I chose to go with a mini spool for several reasons. Less moving parts (less things to break), ease of installation, strength, and price of course. It would be much cheaper to weld the spider gears, but that just makes me nervous seeing that this is my daily driver. On with the install...
-First jack up the vehicle to a comforatable working height and take off both rear wheels. Make sure you leave the transmission in neautral so you can spin the pinion easily. Remove the drums or calipers and rotors.
-Put a drain bucket under the rear and remove the 10 bolts holding the rear diff. cover. Just loosen a couple on the top until most of the fluid is out so you don't splash 80-90 all over you.

-Next, rotate the carrier to remove the cross pin shaft bolt and slide out the cross pin shaft.

-Rotate the axle and remove the spider gears through the access window in the carrier. Push the axles in towards the center to gain access to the c-clips and remove. Pull axles back out a couple inches and remove the side gears and shims. (the original side shims would not fit back in for me, they may for you.)

-Install left side of the mini spool first. Line up the axle splines with the spool and push through. Install c-clip and and pull axle back out to lock it in. Repeat for right side.

-Install the center blocks with the rounded side facing out towards the carrier. Place the spider gear shims back onto the carrier and align the holes. Slide the cross pin shaft back throught the assembly and tighten the the bolt.

-Clean off all the old gasket material off the case and install new gasket. My cover was in pretty rough shape, so I replaced it for cheap money. Fill up the rear with some fresh 80-90 and paint it up all pretty

-Throw your brakes and wheels back and go have fun!
I've driven it for a few days now and it's reall not that bad on the street. Parking lot manuvers are pretty noisey, but normal driving, you don't even know it's there. Just take turns through intersections a little wider and you'll be all set.

Oh yeah, you will definatly wear tires a little faster seeing how the tires are what slips and not the differential. There is a little more axle side to side play than I'd like, but the side shims that were in the rear were too thick. I plan on installing 4.56's in the near future, so when I do that, I'll get some thinner shims to tighten it up. Here's a couple pics of it in action.

< Message edited by zero psi -- 4/23/2007 6:40:12 AM >

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