Anyone else have trouble with Richmond gears making noise?
After 5 years I wore out the 4.10's in my car. So bought a new set, had them professionally set up and they made noise right away and wore right out. I measured them with a Rockwell hardness tester and according to Richmond, they were made too soft. These are street gears BTW.
So they sent me a new set.
This time I learned how to set them up myself. Nice and quiet, broke them in according to the instructions, changed to synth gear oil and went drag racing.
5 runs and they were howling on decel. So I call Richmond and they tell that with my car running in the high tens, I was really needing a set of pro gears. Well, can't run them on the street....
They told me I probably actually deflected the teeth and messed up the coast pattern. Then went on to say they have lots of sets in the field making noise on decel and lasting just fine. Hmmmm
With the new 496 going in in the near future, I'm not only worried about breaking what I have , I think I might like to switch to 3.73's anyway.

So, who else makes quality geras? Strange? US gear?

Is my problem unique?

I run a 12 bolt BTW with the cap support cover and the axle brace tubes.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Ron

Originally posted by Ron454:
Anyone else have trouble with Richmond gears making noise?...
So, who else makes quality geras? Strange? US gear?

Is my problem unique?Ron - We've run Richmond and Strange (street gears, not pro gears) in a 3500# Malibu, dropping the clutch at up to 7000 rpm, with similar results. After about 20 passes the teeth are rolled over on the edge and they make some noise. However we have continued to use them (approximately 200 passes) and never had a problem. If they stop howling and start going clunkity-clunk on the return road... replace them quickly.

I have the answer to all your problems, Give these guys a call. They are the Best and have great prices. They will help you solve your problems. http://www.tomsdifferentials.com/

GM Motive gears are the only way to go. No noise problems ever. Best place to buy is flatlanderracing.com

how much back lash did you use?

The guy who installed my richmonds (I bought them before asking him what brand) told me beforehand that richmonds tend to whine but are strong gears. They do whine a little. In retrospect I should have returned them before using them for a different brand, its not a terribly loud noise, so they are in, they are in..

Matt

how much back lash did you use?

Whatever the instructions said. I believe it was .008 to .010"

Ron

This is an ongoing issue with Richmond gears. I used U.S. Gear/Strange ring gear/pinion set in my car and haven't heard a peep nor had a problem in 5 years and over 300 passes.

Ken,
How much lash are you running?

Rob,
email Racer1320 and ask his recommendation on setting the lash.

I have blown apart 2 sets of Richmond gears, both in my 86 Cutlass. The first time 5 teeth blew off the ring gear, the second time 3 teeth sheared off the pinion gear. They were quiet though, never had a problem with them being noisy.

Originally posted by Motor Martyr:
Ken,
How much lash are you running?

Rob,
email Racer1320 and ask his recommendation on setting the lash. Brian,

It's been nearly 5 years but I recall it being .006

I've had mine in the car for 4.5 years, going on 3rd year of full time racing,they make a little noise,..I'm on my second posi unit...,Eaton this time with same old gears and they're still holding up.