doing the rear gears on my xj, anything else that I NEED (not want) besides the FSM, dial indicator, shims, bluing ? I'm about halfway done, and things are looking good (except that my hand is split open), really I'm just curious about how to best setup the pattern via pinion depth and shimming.

Maybe this will help, http://www.ringpinion.com/tech/yukoninst.pdf
I plan on doing mine soon. Gathering all the info I can ;)

any reason we need two of these posts? (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=230087)

nope, I was getting a "cannot find server" error, but I guess that it posted twice. I did look into that site. Thanks.

I recently did my first set. IT really wasn't that hard, just time consuming.
The harbor frieght bearing wedge type puller sucks, Get a better one. IT bends out of shape real easy.
I will be putting my ARB on my new front axle soon.
Almost forgot how about a punch to mark the caps.
Scratch

Originally posted by Scratch
I recently did my first set. IT really wasn't that hard, just time consuming.
The harbor frieght bearing wedge type puller sucks, Get a better one. IT bends out of shape real easy.
I will be putting my ARB on my new front axle soon.
Almost forgot how about a punch to mark the caps.
Scratch

Got one you recommend? About to start doing my own gears in a couple weeks. I've got a HF bearing separator, but already had doubts about its quality when i saw it was only like 12 bucks. I just don't want to spend $300 on a bearing puller

I don't have one that I recommend. I took mine back and got a new one for the front. Sears might sell one.
Good luck and keep us informed on how it goes?
Scratch

so, yeah, that bearing separator from HF really does suck. Tried pulling off a couple of bearings last night.
The first was off a model20 carrier, it hit the shaft before taking off the bearing and did nothing.
then we tried on a D30 carrier, and it still kind of mangled the bearing. It'll still work as a test fit (grinded down the inside so it slips on/off easy), but I'd rather have something better.

Anybody recommend a good one that's not 300 bucks?

Randy's Ring and Pinion sells adequate tools for the weekender.