g77rvd

Hey guys just had my 3.42 posi installed in my cutlass replacing the 2.56 peg leg that I had previously.

The shop that installed my gears said I should take it easy and basically baby the gears for 500mi. Now its been almost 10 years since the last set of gears I had installed in my previous cutlass but I do not recall them telling me this.

I have the type "o" axle using aftermarket posi unit with richmond gears. I read the documentation that came with the richmond set and it states " Street vehicles should be driven at normal street driving speed for approximately 10 miles,, then stop and let cool for 30 minutes. Do this 2 to 3 times. Towing vehicles need approximately 200 to 300 miles of normal driving before being used for towing."

Is a break in of a few hundred of miles really necessary?

gearheads78

Just go by what Richmond says and you will be fine.

g77rvd

That's what I thought so just like 3 small drives and I should be good right?

gearheads78

I have never done more than that and never had a problem.

monzaz

Yes about 2-3 times will be fine. Just remember the more heat -up and total cool down cycles for the ring and pinion the better up to about 10-15. Every cycle hardenes the gear face deeper and deeper into the metal. Of course it will only go so far.

The big thing we are trying to prevent is the SUPER long hot serve drive right off the bat and then a BIG harry Burn out at the end of this break in period...LOL.

If you do want to get into the rear a little do it at the beginning of the test run, when the gears are HOT in the early break cycles (first and second drive) they will be malleable and this is where the damage could happen. So do not do a burn out at the end of your break in run gentle and let it totally cool.

TOTAL COOL down is necessary for the Rockwell of the ring and pinion...IT is A MUCH and usually the biggest area we all goof ...We all are anguish to get those cycles in we rush through then prematurely and the gears do not get the complete cycle it needs.