Whine after regear...need advice

So here's the sequence of events:

1. Got my TRD offroad regeared to Nitro 5.29s this week. Shop called and said it was done, but the gears whine a bit, which I had been informed is not uncommon.

2. Went to pick it up, and the mechanic said the Nitro install kit did not come with pinion gear shims, so he reused the factory shims. He said I probably needed 1 or 2 more shims to get the pinion fully centered on the ring gear, and that this was the source of the whine.

3. He then said that he could add a shim to try and fix the noise (it is loud), but it is uncertain whether or not it would fix the issue, because the pattern is already set. I would be charged for the labor again. He also said it was a really nice pattern set into the gears.

4. He said that the noise wouldn't go away with time, and that the only want to fix it (if shims didn't work) was to get a whole new install kit with the pinon gear shims included, and start from scratch, for both differentials.

5. Drove it home and I confirmed the noise is terrible/unsustainable for a daily driver.

Could someone with some knowledge let me know your thoughts on whether or not adding shims would work, or what I should do? I don't want to break them in any further, so I am just going to keep it parked until I get an answer. Thank you in advance

 

It seriously could or couldn't work. 50-50.

 

Noted. Will driving the truck around beforehand lower the chances of success?

 

If it needs additional shims after completion then he didn’t set up the gears correctly to begin with. If a shop told me I need some extra shims to set the correct depth and gave it back to me they would not be getting paid until they did it correctly.

There is a difference between gear whine and improper setup.

Your shop cut corners, half assed the job to get it out the door and is now saying you have to fix their shoddy work.

 

LOL re-read what you wrote, and laugh with me. ;-)

 

I guess I meant additional shims after completion but everyone wants to get laid

 

I agree, but they said I would need to pay for the labor to fix it regardless since the "work" was already done, and I provided the parts, so I just took it home. What do you recommend I do?

There was no negotiating, I had no leverage to say otherwise. Either I take the truck as-is, or pay more to get it "maybe fixed."

 

Even if you provided the parts they should have stopped and contacted you about the missing shim kit. The shims come in varying sizes measured in thousandths so they use these to set everything to the correct tolerances. So when they say it needs a shim or two then that means the measurements are off to begin with. I would be less concerned with the gear whine and more concerned with the setup. You might have an ok pattern but may not be ideal or your backlash might be slightly off, no idea.

As far as what to do, I mean they need to provide the specs of the setup and do it correctly. You shouldnt have to pay them again to have them set it up correctly to begin with.

 

100%, this is why I am pissed.

 

OP, I’m not sure I’d even take my truck back to them to fix.

Not sure where you are, but I would take it to another shop specializing in gears. Sounds like your shop wants to charge labor over again anyway.

 

When I asked about this, he said it was "within tolerances" so that's why they continued with the build.

I just think that they are gonna turn me away when I ask them to fix it for no charge.

 

This is what I am thinking. I am in south Texas. Would driving the truck on it's current setup to a better shop aggravate any issues?

 

Take it easy on them regardless, but there is always a possibility the next shop will take issue with the setup pattern that’s now being worn in.

All new gears should be broken in at lower speeds for a good few hundred miles anyway.

 

@Wwjvd Ill call some shops and see what they think. Thanks for the help.

 

If you have to pay labor again I'd go somewhere else. I would venture to say he's bullshitting you about the gear pattern (or doesn't know any better) because a proper contact pattern won't be obnoxiously loud. It isn't good for the gear set either, I'd have to hear it to be sure but I don't recommend driving it until it's right.

 

Most people write down the measurements because they change and you need to know what to adjust. He should be able to give you the exact backlash, pinion preload etc.

Within "tolerances" is vague. My Yukon book states for the 8" clamshell as an example:

9-14 inch pounds for pinion bearing preload and 0.004 - 0.008 for backlash

I would talk to them armed with more info and see what they say, could always go the charge back route if you used a CC.

It could all come back and be in spec but seems super wierd that hes like oh it needs a couple shims..

 

What would I do with this info? Take it to another shop I assume?

 

Nitro has the setup specs, can compare.

 

Cool. Ill go in there tomorrow and see what I can haggle. Thank you

 

@Texoma keep me honest here, thoughts? You do more Toyota diffs than I do but this shop seems odd to me giving a truck back saying it needs "1 or 2" more shims.