Dowel Pin survey...

[Bluebird]

I would like to know how many folks with a '93 have tabbed the dowel pin, and how many have not Please include the mileage on your truck, and how it's driven:-{} I drive mine pretty easy, set cruise at 65mph, haul 500-pounds 'bout 4-times weekly, tow a U-haul, or vehicle once/twice a year. Thanks for the contributions No, I don't know how to set up a survey, tell me how



Have Summer Fun:-laf ,Patrick

 

[Bob4x4]

I am sure it is rare but if it is on your own truck the # of failures is irrelevant.

I just repaired a 95 that broke the gear case. The dealer price for a new case,pin and gaskets,seals has gotten crazy. The job to repair is quite time consuming.

I guess it is time for me to pull mine apart and be proactive.

 

[MMeier]

Did my '93 around 155k or so, had moved out just a bit, but you never know till its too late !! Had the truck since 126k, don't drive it super easy, but don't beat it to death either, occasionally tows a small open or enclosed, nothing major, pump tweaks and the typical stuff. 167k on it now. Have someone here local that can do it for you if need be.

 

[Flexiheep]

at about 220K miles mine made a horrible noise one morning, no oil leaks and has run fine since..... I think it was the dowel pin, but haven't ever looked to see. Daily driven 40-60 miles daily, and pulls my 10K lb trailer at least once a year on a 3-4K mile trip.



I agree with the fact that if it is yours it really doesn't help to know the damage you are paying for only happens to 2% of vehicles... ...

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

I did the old set screw method the first time. Then after hearing about the bolts holding the front case coming out I did that fix. The set screw was in a perfect position to keep the KDP from moving but the bolts were all loose. I feel better knowing that everything is good inside my front case.



Bob

 

[JLEONARD]

I did the set screw fix at about 100 K. Never took the case off to inspect the bolts. Sold the truck at 200 K.

Helped my nephew pull his apart to stake the pin and tighten the bolts and replace the seal (on a 98). It only took us a couple of hours.

In reptrospect it's worth doing.

And I don't think it matters at all how you drive your truck whether you are more or less at risk of failure. It's a dynamic/vibration issue and it's unpredictable.

 

[kwimmer]

I "fixed" mine at approx 45k, (the odometer is out and i don't drive it much - fixed OD once but broke again. too lazy to fix since i have no intention of selling my truck). i used a kit from tst? the one they offered was not for my truck, i needed the bent one they only had the flat which is for the 2nd gen and above. made it work anyway. it wasn't as difficult as i thought thanks to all the tips and tricks of this site - it was just time consuming.

 

[Firstgenfanantic]

I tabbed mine about 1500 miles ago. My mileage is roughly 208K. I used the tab method provided by an individual who makes 89-93 KDP kits that he sells from his home. The kit was $75. and included fan wrenches and all the other usual items sold in a TST kit. I discovered that my dowel pin was intact and showed no signs of movement. I removed all timing case bolts and lock-tite'd them back. All is secure

 

[Ncostello]

200,000 miles. Removed the cover, pounded it back in place... about 1/16th inch moved out according to simple measurements. Pinged case bore with a tiny punch and added green loctite. Not going anywhere now. New cover gasket, seal and thats about it. Easy job in one afternoon. Tabbing and jigging is not my recommendation. See what your working on and make sure its even there at all.



PS: This is the only way you can tighten all of your case to block bolts which were very loose on mine. I got them all even though one requires a bent thin 10mm wrench. This is important and cannot be done without removing the cover.

 

[Jet Tech]

210k, Haven't addressed the KDP yet. The truck spent a lot of it's life pulling a car trailer so has seen some use. A TDR member that I ran into at a Memorial Day BBQ asked if I had done the KDP yet, I explained that I hadn't, so I figure about now is when it will walk out!



It's on the list of things to address.

 

[Greenleaf]

I have done my trucks and others as well. Also the school bus fleet. I use a self fabricated tab, slightly longer cap screw and lock-tite all the others.

 

[MMiller]

I did my 93 at about 240,000 miles. It had not moved, I put a little locktite, and staked it with a pointed punch. I did have loose bolts under there. After that, the oil leak on the front of the motor slowed up, but I believe I need to pull it all apart and replace the gasket between the block and front cover. Don't really want to do it.



The 90 in my signature has not been done to my knowledge, I've only put a couple hundred miles on it since I bought it 5 years ago.



Michael

 

[SPoe]

my 93 dowel pin hasnt been tabbed, im at 133K and I go back and forth between hard driving and babying her. probably more hard driving, not much towing anymore

 

[MLee]

Genoe's Also has the kit if needed.





GET-ER-DONE

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I recently bought a '90 and did the dowel pin and case bolts. The bolts were a bit loose (very bad as a flange can catch in a gear tooth and break the block, cam, etc. ). The KDP was ready to fall out, glad I didn't delay. The exhaust manifold had shrunk 1/4" so I immediately put on a BD 3 piece. About 200,000 miles on it.

 

[JLEONARD]

I still say that staking is far superior to tabbing. This is based on many years of manufacturing experience. Staking = never again a chance for a bolt to fall out. And less costly.

win-win

Cheers

 

[Wiredawg]

I haven't done mine yet. Bought the kit from Genos and will do it some day when I get time, if it don't waller out before then. I bought the '93 about 5 years ago w/ 127K on the clock. It is about to turn over to 160K. I pretty much drive it med, not too hard, not too easy. :-laf



Wiredawg

 

[Grumpy John 4x4]

Kdp

Bob4x4 did mine at 205,000 and i have owned my truck since I bought it off the lot new!

 

[PToombs]

My '92 was all the way in at 220k, and the bolts were tight.

My '97, at 150k, the pin was out about 1/8" and the bolts were tight. I drove it in, made a tab, ad called it good.

 

[NOTABLAZER]

Well apparently everyone must be using the kit because it's on eternal backorder from geno's garage. #@$%!