My rear diff has about 30 degrees of rotational play. I believe it is due to the previous owner installing 488s and a detroit incorrectly.

It doesnt make any whining noise, just loud bangs in between forward and reverse and coasting/accelerating on the freeway, particularly when the gear oil warms up. So far it hasn't given me any issues, but I want to do a baja trip soon and want my stuff to be rock solid.

Would it be bad to take the diff apart and set the clearances correctly? Would I cause further wear issues by resetting the wear pattern on the ring and pinion? Im open to getting it fully rebuilt but if its something I can do I would prefer to buy a bearing puller and tackle it myself.

Thanks!

 

Lockers are known to have substantial slop.

Disconnect the driveshaft at the pinion flange and delicately move the pinion back and forth. It should be possible to feel how much of the total slop is ring and pinion backlash.

Then you can make up your mind whether to open it up, or not. No gear noise is a good sign.