To anyone who's installed an auto locker in their 7.5" front diff, did you need new shims or were you able to reuse the old?

I've done a couple rear lockers but I'm nervous about doing the front because of these shims.

Is it worth ordering a set beforehand?

Just trying to avoid the additional downtime of having to order these while everything is apart, nomsayin?

 

I just used my old shims. I don't know why you would need new ones. My front diff looked and measured brand new inside when I opened it up at 193000 miles, which is not surprising. The front diff doesn't wear much considering most of the miles are in 2wd.

 

i reused the old shims. im also assuming you are referring to the shims that set the backlash on the ring gear. if so, just reinstall them as they were originaly. dont forget to reinstall the two heavy/thick spacers that were on the spiders, as well. these set the spacing for the locker to engage/disengage. i use the detriot ez lockers.

 

Exactly the answer I was hoping to hear.

Should actually be easier than doing the rear then since I won't have to mess around with adjusting backlash.

If I remove the front cross member and pop out the axle shafts a few inches can I remove the case without taking out the carrier? Or is it easier to just remove the whole thing?

 

Defiantly easier to take the whole housing out and work on it on a bench.

 

Agreed.