12 bolt spider gear problem

[montana92]

Rebuilding this 12bolt. New spider gears. Problem is gears won't fit with the shims/thrust washers, seems they lock the gears up.. now if I remove all 4 then she goes together an spins like it should no problem.. talked to a old timer an he said it would be fine to run with out said shims if there ain't any MAJOR LOOSENESS AN from what I can see there is very very little move me to. (trucks just a cruiser stock 230ci an 3 on the tree. Is he correct?? I can't seem to get a right AWNSER from anybody. Had this problem in a old d30 for a wheeler an ran it with out an never had a problem..

[Captainfab]

I have run a 12 bolt without the shims/thrust washers with no issues. But then again that truck did not get a lot of miles put on it.

[montana92]

The spider gears seem a little loose, (haven't measured yet) but installed 1 thrust washer on the 1 smaller gears an it tightened every thing up REAL tight. Have to use the axle shaftan some force to rotate it... Should I run it like that or remove said washer an run it loose???

[Captainfab]

It is hard to say not being able to put hands on it, but it has been my experience with most things it is better to run it a little on the loose side rather than tight. When things are too tight, that is when heat builds up and things start to eat each other.

[red211]

Originally Posted by captainfab

it is hard to say not being able to put hands on it, but it has been my experience with most things it is better to run it a little on the loose side rather than tight. When things are too tight, that is when heat builds up and things start to eat each other.

x2

[jdl71]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

It is hard to say not being able to put hands on it, but it has been my experience with most things it is better to run it a little on the loose side rather than tight. When things are too tight, that is when heat builds up and things start to eat each other.

x3