Recently bought a set of used 4:56 IFS front gears, and just noticed that they have some damage on the ring gear. There are a few cracks in the outer teeth, and some wear.

I'm guessing that I know the answer to this, but just want to be sure, are these OK to install, or should I view this as a learning experience, and just buy some new ones.

Cheers.

 

Wear can be fine, cracks are not. Can you get some pictures?

 

I'll try, but will have to be tomorow.

 

Sure. I would say that as a general rule, I would not install a ring gear with any structural damage such as a crack.

HOWEVER: it is possible they will run fine if the crack is outside the contact area on the gear tooth, and is not too bad/deep.

 

The crack will cause the gear to fail.

 

I say run it and find out! (and carry a spare diff with you)

 

a crack is considered a failure dont use it because you never know what else it is going to take out when it goes

 

X-2 and if you can't unlock your hubs (front or rear) and remove your driveline... if the RG goes it'll take out a bunch of other stuff while driving it just to the tow truck....

 

Installing gears is such a PITA I wouldn't chance it. Especially in the rear diff. With the semifloat rear axle, you don't have a whole lot of options with a broken ring gear.

 

Are you really asking if you should run a cracked ring gear?

Unless you like being stranded on the trail and doing the job twice I'd think NOT!

 

It's going to be a pain to return the gears... I would run them until they break. IFS fronts are a dime a dozen.

After I re-geared I had a set of 4.10's that I decided to inspect after draining the gear oil - one tooth was over 50% gone and many of the others were cracked. Friend of mine NEEDED gears for a wheeling trip and he's put them through hell the past couple months and to my surprise they are still in-tact

 

My 4.10's in my rear end were cracked and then failed on me last summer... broke like 6 teeth off. But thats a rear end... as for the front id just throw them in since you already bought them and run them till they break... i mean it is only when you use 4 wheel drive.

 

Regardless of how long anybody may "Think" they will last, in this condition. Why take the chance of having to do such a PITA job twice, I mean it has visible structural damage, enough said.

 

Yeah, thought about it further, and while it sucks having wasted some cash on a bum set of gears, I think I'll cut my losses and hunt around for a new set. Thats what I get for not looking close enough at point of sale...which is like a 3 hr drive away....lol

 

True, but it was a front (IFS) ring gear, but thanks for your input.

 

Can you return them to the guy who sold them to you? I guess if you missed it, he could have as well.

 

I'm not sure if I would be able to or not, but its all the way down in Abby, so it'd cost me more in gas $ & time than it is worth. Only paid $25 bucks for them so I'm not out too much. Although now I do have a set of good V6 R&P that I should look at shifting.

 

Just run it until it breaks... you can find a good third in the meantime.

Besides, it doesn't take long to swap out an IFS third member!