DFI, Batch Fire, and other myths

[James Ballenger]

Greg Hermann wrote:

> >Not quite right......
> >
> >The crush sleeve is used to set the front and rear pinion bearing pre-load,
> >the front pinion bearing takes the thrust from the driveshaft. If the
> >pinion nut comes loose then the pinion will move rearward and instantly
> >chew the ring gear.

    In less than 500 miles, I can verify. Damnit.

> The front bearing also takes the gear thrust when the gears are loaded on
> the coast side of their teeth. (like with regular cut gears, driving
> forward in the front end of a 4x4)
>
> One main point is, that with a crush sleeve, tightness of the nut is
> limited, so it is way more likely to come loose---

    I didn't mention it before, but you could actually hear the pinion eating
the carrier away.  It would only happen at 25+ when coasting.  I came up with
some interesting driving styles to minimize the grinding :-|

James Ballenger