Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Exciter Ring

[Harlacher]

Apparently the Mag-High View cover on my differential has been wearing down my exciter ring. (one of the plugs goes in to far from what I have been able to find)



Is it a hard job to change one? Would I need special tools? I know for a complete overhaul I would need to take gear backlash readings. I am hoping that if I pull the axles I can get the entire pumpkin?? out and change the ring.



The tech manual tells how to do it with a complete overhaul not just the ring.



Any help would be greatly appreciated.



Paul

 

[TBartlett1]

If the tone ring was worn down from the plug then new bearings may be needed.

The carrier needs to be removed because the tone ring is captive between the carrier & ring gear.

The ring gear shouild be reinstalled with new bolts & Loctite. Bearings can be replaced without re-shimming if you keep track of which shims went where.

However if there are considerable miles on it backlash most likely will be excessive and an adjustment would be recommended if you had the skills.

To keep it as simple as possible if the bearings look good then just remove the carrier & replace the tone ring.

Randy's Ring & Pinion will have the tone ring & what ever else you need.



Tim

 

[Harlacher]

Thanks Tim,



I have ordered the parts from Randy's. It will be here the first of next week and I am going to try to do this. I am fairly competent with tools and hope I can put on the new ring, bearings and check backlash. I will pay close attention to where the shims go. I have read my manual a few times and I hope I can get by without any special tools. Looks like I will need them if I have to go into it any further.



Thank you for the help and I will let you know how it goes.



Paul

 

[Harlacher]

I pulled the carrier Bearing assembly and changed the exciter ring. That is all I did; my truck has over 200,000 miles on it and the bearings looked very good. There was not major wear just thin lines where dirt had passed through. I was very surprised but figured why fix it when it is not broke. In the past it was good practice to change out parts when the mileage was high whether they needed it or not. With the additives in the oils and improved metals that make up these trucks I no longer believe that is a good practice. I have run synthetic oil in the differential from day one and it shows. I did not mess with the wheel bearings either. Again, I have had no problems with them so why mess with them. Time will tell, I have disturbed the parts which will hasten wear but I am hoping to get a few more thousand out of them. The speedometer and cruise work great and the ABS and brake light have went out. NO more trouble codes either. It was very easy to just change out the exciter ring. I now have a spare set of bearings if I need them.