Chromoly… the utterance of the word conjures images of superhero strength. The word is derived from chromium and molybdenum, the two main alloying elements of the metal. Chromium brings three major benefits to the table: innate hardness, improved pliability during the quenching process, and outstanding corrosion resistance. Molybdenum also serves to increase the alloy’s hardness. When it...
Gear break-in consists of controlled heat cycling of the gear set in a way that properly seasons or hardens the gear’s contact surfaces. It is a series of test drives. These critical first few miles of drive time can be the difference between a gear-melting headache and years of carefree driving. Failure to properly break-in your gear set can result in damaged, failing gears and a complete...
The Dana 30 differential has been pulling the front of Jeeps around since the CJ-5s of the early 1970s. Available in high- and low-pinion versions as well as standard and reverse rotation versions, the Dana 30 can be found in Wranglers, Cherokees, Grand Cherokees, and Comanche MJs to name a few. They are also in early Ford Broncos and various AMC applications. Too often the capabilities of...
From weekend warriors to master builders, craftsmen worldwide know that no matter what you’re working on, it’s all about the tools. For the mechanic, having the right tools is the difference between a smooth well-executed job and running around trying to find ‘something that works’ —most likely a screwdriver or other blunt, ill-advised tool—just to get the vehicle off the lift. But the...
Auto manufactures have made it possible to glean basic but useable differential information by means of tags, stickers or stampings on the differential. The tags are usually affixed to the pumpkin by a diff cover bolt and stickers can be on the housing or axle tube close to the housing. The “direct from the source” aspect of this information makes it hyper accurate, overriding any confusing...
Breaking a differential can be a sudden, horrific event. If you’ve haunted the drag strip you’ve undoubtedly seen the loud, fully cammed hot rod drop the clutch then drop a load of gears and metal on the track. Out on the trail, a struggling rig finally hooks up and the sudden torque is too much for the diff, grenading the unit to its ultimate demise. A differential can also die slowly and...
Toyota’s have earned a long-running cult-like reputation for off-road tenacity for absorbing abuse and overcoming obstacles on the trail. We get it. And we’ve developed hundreds of part numbers dedicated to the illustrious sombrero badge. If you own a Toyota and want to run with the bear we have Grizzly Lockers, Spartan Lockers, Dura Grip limited slip units, Master Overhaul Gear Kits ,...
Tech Question: I've been having some issues with ring and pinion failure in a Chrysler 8.25” differential that’s in a ‘98 Jeep Cherokee. The first set failed in about 4,000 miles and the set that’s currently in it is on its way out as well. I'm by no means a Diff Wizard, but I have setup many with no failures until this particular case. After the first set failed I just bought a...
Reclaim Performance in Big-Tire Yotas Toyota owners can now take advantage of performance-engineered Yukon Gear & Axle gear sets that have been proven at King of the Hammers, the granite crags of Moab, and in Ultra4 competition across the country. Yukon’s convenient ring and pinion Re-Gear Kits bundle everything you need to upgrade your Toyota’s front and rear differentials in one...
An RPM Calculator is especially valuable to those considering jumping to a bigger tire, altering their vehicle’s performance by changing ring and pinion gears, or satisfying a curiosity about their current setup. The calculator determines your engine rpm at a selected vehicle speed. What You Need to Know The RPM Calculator requires the vehicle’s gear ratio and tire height to...
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