Yukon blog
Tech Support When it Matters
Common to all shops is the need for tech support when a technician is at the crossroads of diagnosing troublesome issues or simply figuring out how something fits. We all have those days when everything goes just right, and conversely, we have all had those days when nothing goes as planned. These are the days when the simple three-hour job can take a whole day and set your week on fire. The question is, how do you handle those jobs when your diagnostic of an issue didn’t work? When your install seemed right because you’ve done it this way a thousand times before? It could be the part, it could be the vehicle, it could just be one those days. This is when having a solid backup from your manufacturer really comes in to play. You can buy parts from just about anywhere these days but who can you trust to back you when things aren’t perfect and a little bit of help can go a long way. When it comes to drivetrains, RANDYS Worldwide has some of the best technicians, chat and phone support you can find. Installation of a drivetrain can be quick and efficient when it all fits perfect. Simple installation of new gears, kits and traction when the parts are new can take some time, but for the most part, if you’ve done it before, you can do it again. It’s the diagnostics of simple vibrations, chatter and noises that can make for a longer day. But the guys at RANDYS have been doing this for over 30 years and one quick call can make the difference between a job taking a few hours or a long day under the rig. We talked to the techs at RANDYS and found some common calls that they receive frequently. How to Identify Your Differential & Axle Type The first thing you have to know is how to identify what you’re working on. From cover bolt count, to integrated or drop out and axle types of semi, full float and more. How to Identify and Reduce Positraction Chatter Chatter between clutch packs is common when installing a new positraction. The first thing to consider is if you remembered the friction modifier. This is a common and simple miss that can be a quick solution to any issue. A good gear oil like a GL5 or 80W 90 oil will normally do the trick before having to start over. How to Measure a Semi-float Rear Axle Shaft Setting the backlash on a ring & pinion can be time consuming unless you know the proper steps. Starting with your factory carrier shims, make sure that they are clean and clear of any grit or grease before moving on. With the carrier assembly installed, attach your dial indicator with the plunger at a 90-degree angle from the face of the ring gear. Finding three locations on the gear is the most common fault when rushing through the install. Gear Tooth Contact Patterns Explained Setting up a ring & pinion can sometimes seem daunting and when tricky patterns begin to show up, downright frustrating. But it not as difficult as it seems. Centering between the toe and heel, the top and the bottom can be easily found with small changes. When it’s not working properly, a quick call to isolate your problem can make all the difference There are great manufacturers out there that provide tech support, whether it’s a tuner, exhaust, engine diagnostic tools, carburetors or whatever. You can use this tech support system to not only move forward with your installation, but get a few tech tips and learn something at the same time. It’s about time and efficiency and getting that next car in to the bay. Just remember to treat each of them right and be the guy who will call for help. When it comes to drivetrain, call RANDYS Tech line 800-330-2206. We’re here to help. Or visit Yukon Gear’s YouTube pages and find over 100 videos to get you through your day.
Tools for the Trade
From the weekend warriors to master builders, craftsmen worldwide know that no matter what you’re working on, it’s all about the tools. From Home Depot, to Lowes, to Harbor Freight, tools are readily available and at top demand. For the mechanic, having the right tools mean the difference between getting the perfect, well-oiled, clean, perfectly done job, to running around trying to find something that works—most likely a screwdriver—just to get it off the lift. But the difference between getting a job done and getting a job done right, is the proper tools. Using the tools made for that job helps to reduce time and effort, leaving more time to assure it’s the highest quality work. It’s no different for drivetrain shops. There are specialized tools for those in the industry to complete a quality install, reducing time and effort and, most importantly, making room for that next car or truck to drive up revenue. From specialized bearing pullers, to simple shim drivers, make it easy on yourself by investing in the proper tools for when a vehicle pulls in with that elusive “vibration in the rear.” Precise set-up requirements often test a technician’s ability to do a job right or restrict them from even doing the job at all. That’s how specialized tools build a business. There are four critical steps that are required to ensure a strong, quiet and long-lasting build. A specialized inch pound torque wrench is required to set the pinion bearing preload, right after utilizing a high-quality pinion depth setting tool. After that, specialized spanner tools or shim drivers allow you to dial in the backlash and carrier bearing preload. Over the years, while building thousands of differentials, Yukon Gear & Axle has perfected the necessary and specialized tools to set up even the most obscure differentials. RANDYS Worldwide designs and engineer’s quality drivetrain tools under its Yukon Gear & Axle brand. In the beginning, starting out as a regional shop over 40 years ago, RANDYS engineered and designed specialized tools around what it takes to get the job done right. Yukon has developed over 80 different tools that make differential and drivetrain assembly a cinch. Used by top shops around the country, here are some top sellers to consider: See a video of some of those tools in action here. 1. YT P22 Yukon Bearing Tool Set (YT P22 with Clamshells)– The bearing puller is used to simplify bearing removal without a press. It removes carrier bearings and most pinion bearing without risk. Different clamshell sizes offer a clean, quick and simple way to remove a bearing quickly. 2. Yukon SHIM DRIVER SET (YT SD-01) Works on Ford, GM, Chrysler and many other housings. A set of Shim drivers will become your best friend. These half-moon, heavy duty cradles are perfect for relinquishing the screwdriver, punch or pry bar to get it right the first time. No more chipping shims or hammering screwdrivers to set your shims. 3. Yukon Bearing race drivers – There are over 20 race drivers for different applications, all of which make your life easier. More importantly, the mechanic can accurately drive races and get a perfect alignment for the right fit. These drivers are built to take a hammering, which is exactly what it takes to properly set bearings. The tool keeps your races centered and straight and works much better than using a socket or even the bottom of your closest beer can. 4. Yukon Side Adjuster Tool (YT A06) – Without having the proper tool for side adjustment, it’s almost impossible to reach the recommended adjustor torque of 150+ foot pounds. Although this tool has a very single purpose, it’s exactly what’s needed to get it done right. No more stacked extensions and cobbled together drivers to get the perfect fit. Yukon also builds bolt extractors kits, spanner tools, spindle boring cutters and more to outfit a shop that wants to do the work and do it well. Do you have all the tools need? We didn’t think so.
Ian "Big Tire" Johnson Spin Free Installation Video
Yukon Spin Free KitsFreewheeling in the Name of Fun and Efficiency Ian Johnson, the host of the TV show “Four Wheeler” on the MotorTrend Network, runs through all the details involved in installing a Spin Free Kit in the accompanying video. The four-wheel-drive systems on some Dodge and Jeep applications are engineered to turn the front axles and transfer case gears when the vehicles are in two-wheel drive mode. This is wasteful on two fronts. First is the wear and tear factor… which is complicated by the fact that these systems feature non-serviceable, failure-prone bearing assemblies. Then there’s the negative impact all the energy used turning the front drivetrain has on fuel economy. Yukon Spin Free Kits swoop in like a superhero to save the day by allowing the front drivetrain to freewheel. These kits replace the failure susceptible and expensive factory unit bearings with serviceable tapered bearings and races. The result is not only a design which is easier and more economical to maintain, but one that offers significant increases in fuel efficiency because mpg-stealing parasitic drag in the front drivetrain is reduced. Each Spin Free Kit includes new wheel hubs, spindles, high-strength Yukon 4340 chromoly outer axles, Yukon Hardcore premium locking hubs, high-quality bearings and seals, and all the hardware needed for installation. Kits are accompanied by a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects for as long as you own the vehicle. Wasted effort is frustrating. Unnecessary wear and tear and costly repairs are frustrating. Sacrificing fuel efficiency is frustrating. Yukon Gear & Axle Spin Free Kits relieves the frustration and makes your rig less expensive to maintain while allowing it to run longer between fill-ups. It’s a win-win. About Ian Johnson A former high school auto shop teacher, Ian first hit the big time in 2005 as part of Spike TV’s Powerblock weekend programming. Ian co-hosted the popular “Extreme 4x4,” a hardcore how-to show that highlighted the building and modifying of off-road vehicles. After the Powerblock was cancelled in 2013, the show transitioned to Xtreme Off Road (XRO) on Paramount’s Power Nation programming block. Ian left XRO in 2017. He appeared briefly on “Big Tire Garage” before manning the helm of the highly successful “Four Wheeler” show when it debuted in 2019. Like his TV segments, this installation video goes full-tech as Ian highlights all the critical steps with enthusiasm and depth as only he can do. With his big hair and big fabrications skills, Ian is a well-known personality in the off-road industry. Check it out.
Unboxing: Gear & Install Kit Package
Part of our Yukon Gear & Axle product unboxing series.