Differential rebuild question

[Hijacker]

I'm going to be dropping a viscous LSD into my open diff case in the next few weeks. My question is about the shims that go on each side. The service manual doesn't state this, but I can only assume that the shims should be the same thickness on each side. Is that a proper assumption?

[IvoryJ30t]

no, your gonna have to measure the free play and bearing/pinion preload.

your gonna need gear grease to check the contact pattern.

your going to NEED a dial gauge.

you can do it half-assed, but its not gonna last. i hate differentials [PITA].

EDIT** its easier if your not replacing the ring and pinion. in that case, dont remove the pinion. that makes it much easier. you still have to measure and set the carrier bearing preload. you still need the grease [gear lead]

[Hijacker]

i have all the equipment to do a proper job on this. I'm using my current ring and pinion in the job, all I'm doing is swapping my old R200 for an R200V. This is definitely a job I'm taking my time one and doing right.

[navysnail]

do you have a FSM? if not then you can all but forget it, if you dont shim it right, then it will not last and rip up gears and stuff

if you dont have the FSM talk to me online, or on here and i can direct you from my manual

ivory has it right about the gear grease and dial gauge, those are a must

[Hijacker]

The service manual doesn't state this, but I can only assume that the shims should be the same thickness on each side

yes. i have one. i'm not stupid

[s13sr20chris]

i have put them together before, for a cust who did not want to pay for having it done right, without any measurements. its still doing fine but i would not do it on my car. its really quite simple. just follow the instructions in the fsm. just put it back together(for gosh sakes dont take out the pinion) the same way you took it apart for the initial measurement(well i say initial, but you may wish to take a measurement before you take it apart too). pry it from side to side with a pry bar and watch the dial indicator. then you juggle the shims around. one side will prob have a lot more shims than the other(always has for me). i dont use the grease untill the very end. i dont even have my own grease i use some that is at the shop. its like special grease. checking the toothe contact is easy as the pics are in the fsm. changing the toothe contact can suck.

[Hijacker]

one side will prob have a lot more shims than the other(always has for me)

thanks chris that answers the only question I had asked