[EeJayTJ]

Hi all,
I just upgraded to 4.56 gears and I love them with my 33" tires. Finally I don't have to use my clutch anymore in stop-n-go traffic and I got my 5th gear back.
The RPM's don't go up too high. I think about 3000 RPM (if even that) for the max speed (about 75) is not a problem.
I still have to get my speedo gear installed this saturday.
Question: do my front gears get broken in even though I don't drive in 4WD? Or do I need to be careful on the go pedal the first time I take it off-road?
I don't think there is alot of stress going to the front anyway, right?
Let's see who of you smarties <IMG SRC="smilies/shy.gif" border="0"> knows this one.
<IMG SRC="smilies/bounce.gif" border="0">
Thx,
EeJayTJ

 

[66CJdean]

It is the heat of street driving that can kill new gears so wheeling isn't going to create enough heat to cause a problem.

 

[boneman]

Unless you installed manual hubs in the front, your stuff is turning all the time. They will break in whether you have it locked in or not. <IMG SRC="smilies/skull.gif" border="0">

 

[Xenodank]

I just completly shreaded my spider gears in my front D30. I havethe 4.56 set up as well. The R&P is fine and I think the axle shafts are ok too (don't know for sure, I only took apart the diff and not the whole axle). Just don't bounce the front end too much while wheeling and you will be fine.

 

[BabyWrangle]

If you really want to break them in to feel better about it then do this:

Step 1: Put vehicle on jackstands on level ground
Step 2: Put vehicle in 4hi and in 5th gear and let it idle with the clutch out (wheels will turn)
Step 3: Leave vehicle running and in gear for 20 minutes
Step 4: Change diff fluid
Step 5: Wait for diff to cool to the touch
Step 6: Repeat above steps but leave for 30 minutes
Step 6: Change diff fluid again

Voila! You have the lazy way to break in your new gears. Minimal effort required too for all you people out there lazier than me <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> . Breaking in gears is pretty much heat cycling them and letting them wear a little on each other. But like someone said above don't gas it your first trip out.