ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum

ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Technical Discussion - Beginner / Repair => Topic started by: Nicoles95trkr on May 24, 2012, 11:45:49 AM

Title: Changing the rearend in my tracker, HELP!
Post by: Nicoles95trkr on May 24, 2012, 11:45:49 AM
I currently own a 1995 2 dr 4wd geo tracker auto tranny, the rearend is messed up in it (was wrecked previously before i got it, axle bent, not sure if the housing is messed up also) I recently acquired a (unknown year) 2 dr 2wd geo tracker, manuel tranny. im wondering if i can just change out the whole rearend assy, or just get the "guts" out of the 2wd housing and put them in my 4wd housing, are the ratio's the same, does it matter? Im new to this just trying to learn all i can...Thanks for any help/ advise you can spare, It would be GREATLY appreciated!-Nicole :angel:
Title: Re: Changing the rearend in my tracker, HELP!
Post by: bush buster on May 24, 2012, 01:06:51 PM
Well I'm fairly new to this too but I can answer one or two questions for you. 

It certainly matters if it is the same gear ratio!! if you have different front/rear gear ratios you will probably break something the first time you put it itn 4x4. 

Check the VIN# to determine the year of the donor vehicle.  It's probably safe to assume that if the engine size is the same and one is manual while the other is auto then they would probably be different ratios but you never know. Check the Tech Specs link at the top of the page for info on gear ratios.  Also, if your truck has oversized tires and lacks power you may want to consider a gear reduction at this time since you already need a rearend...you could just bite the bullet now and get a front and rear from a donor vehicle with the ratio you want..there are calculators available online to help determine what ratio you want given the tire size, or search the model specific forum im sure the different gear reductions have been discussed on ce or twice lol.

If the housing is bent then you should replace the entire thing, which is simpler anyways.  More "simple" but not necessarily "easier" but for us newbies simple is good.

Hopefully someone else chimes in thats all I know. Keep searching the site though...it's all been discussed!
Title: Re: Changing the rearend in my tracker, HELP!
Post by: Nicoles95trkr on May 24, 2012, 01:26:47 PM
just found out the NEW tracker is a 1991!
Title: Re: Changing the rearend in my tracker, HELP!
Post by: Skyhiranger on May 25, 2012, 02:26:27 PM
The 95 should have a 1.6 16V engine and a 3 speed auto tranny.  If so, then it should have 4.30 axle gears.
The 91 should have a 1.6 8V engine and with it having a 5 speed tranny it will have 5.12 axle gears.
Title: Re: Changing the rearend in my tracker, HELP!
Post by: Nicoles95trkr on May 30, 2012, 02:25:50 PM
Got it (sorry for posting twice)
So i took the rear end apart and all the teeth on the ring and pinion are fine. The "carrier" on the other hand (has 12 bolt holes, has teeth on it, has something to do with the speedometer) Is more or less, worn out, in the center. Turns out they dont even sell or make this part because its supposed to be a "never worn" part, supposed to never go bad...holy crap...now what?! Anyone ever had this problem?
Title: Re: Changing the rearend in my tracker, HELP!
Post by: fordem on May 30, 2012, 03:04:29 PM
I think you need to find a new "advisor" - who ever is looking at the stuff seems to have very little more than a basic knowledge of what they're doing - and sooner or later you are going to be led seriously astray.

Nothing in the rear axle is related to the speedometer - the speedometer is driven by two gears in the tailshaft housing of the transfer case - those gears do need to be matched to the final drive ratio in the axle.

The "teeth" on the carrier are most likely part of an ABS (anti-lock braking system) speed sensor - and it would be extremely unusual for them to wear since nothing is supposed to come in to contact with them - nevertheless - carriers do wear and are replaceable.

If that 95 Tracker had been a 95 Sidekick I would have been only too happy to provide you with the part numbers, and a dealer who would probably have them in stock.
Title: Re: Changing the rearend in my tracker, HELP!
Post by: Skyhiranger on May 30, 2012, 05:05:01 PM
Got it (sorry for posting twice)
So i took the rear end apart and all the teeth on the ring and pinion are fine. The "carrier" on the other hand (has 12 bolt holes, has teeth on it, has something to do with the speedometer) Is more or less, worn out, in the center. Turns out they dont even sell or make this part because its supposed to be a "never worn" part, supposed to never go bad...holy crap...now what?! Anyone ever had this problem?

What exactly is worn?
Title: Re: Changing the rearend in my tracker, HELP!
Post by: Skyhiranger on May 30, 2012, 05:06:14 PM

If that 95 Tracker had been a 95 Sidekick I would have been only too happy to provide you with the part numbers, and a dealer who would probably have them in stock.

The parts should be the same between a tracker and sidekick.  So sidekick part numbers should help.
Title: Re: Changing the rearend in my tracker, HELP!
Post by: BRD HNTR on May 30, 2012, 08:16:46 PM
I currently own a 1995 2 dr 4wd geo tracker auto tranny, the rearend is messed up in it (was wrecked previously before i got it, axle bent, not sure if the housing is messed up also) I recently acquired a (unknown year) 2 dr 2wd geo tracker, manuel tranny. im wondering if i can just change out the whole rearend assy, or just get the "guts" out of the 2wd housing and put them in my 4wd housing, are the ratio's the same, does it matter? Im new to this just trying to learn all i can...Thanks for any help/ advise you can spare, It would be GREATLY appreciated!-Nicole :angel:
I think fordem is right in that you are being advised by someone who may know less than you.
 
Take some photo's of what you have you think is bad (much better than a description). 
If you have a bent axle from an accident, probability is that the housing is also tweaked (they are light weight as axle housings go) and I would replace the housing.
There may nothing wrong with your third member (differential piece with the ring gear in it). 
As brush buster said, if you have larger tires (or plan on them) now would be the time to make the switch.

Welcome to ZW,   photo's help for clarification.
Title: Re: Changing the rearend in my tracker, HELP!
Post by: Drone637 on May 31, 2012, 09:44:21 AM
As for 12 bolt vs 10, the switched in 95 or 96.  If you switch make sure you write it down, you will need to know if you ever order an ARB.  :)
Title: Re: Changing the rearend in my tracker, HELP!
Post by: Skyhiranger on May 31, 2012, 09:49:57 AM
As for 12 bolt vs 10, the switched in 95 or 96.  If you switch make sure you write it down, you will need to know if you ever order an ARB.  :)

They switched to 12 bolt rear rings much earlier.  I want to say 91ish.
You may be thinking of when they switched to 26 spline front axles....which was 96.
Title: Re: Changing the rearend in my tracker, HELP!
Post by: Drone637 on May 31, 2012, 09:54:54 AM
They switched to 12 bolt rear rings much earlier.  I want to say 91ish.
You may be thinking of when they switched to 26 spline front axles....which was 96.

Ah, I know that one as it is a pain to find 26 spline front end parts.  :)   

The 12bolt vs 8 bolt It may be one of those things where it depends on the market, as my brothers 93 has the 10 bolt rear end.  If it matters, I say pull and check to be sure.
Title: Re: Changing the rearend in my tracker, HELP!
Post by: Nicoles95trkr on May 31, 2012, 11:07:50 AM
I think you need to find a new "advisor" - who ever is looking at the stuff seems to have very little more than a basic knowledge of what they're doing - and sooner or later you are going to be led seriously astray.

Nothing in the rear axle is related to the speedometer - the speedometer is driven by two gears in the tailshaft housing of the transfer case - those gears do need to be matched to the final drive ratio in the axle.

The "teeth" on the carrier are most likely part of an ABS (anti-lock braking system) speed sensor - and it would be extremely unusual for them to wear since nothing is supposed to come in to contact with them - nevertheless - carriers do wear and are replaceable.

If that 95 Tracker had been a 95 Sidekick I would have been only too happy to provide you with the part numbers, and a dealer who would probably have them in stock.

You are correct on getting a new "advisor" it is the carrier that has to be replaced. the teeth are all perfect its the CENTER HOLE that is "wore out" i will have to post pictures to better explain myself. never the less, is there ANYWHERE that you know of that i can get this part. i called a dallas, tx rear end place and they said i can not get just that part it has to be the whole housing and it will cost me 700 bucks...no bueno. =(
Title: Re: Changing the rearend in my tracker, HELP!
Post by: Nicoles95trkr on May 31, 2012, 11:27:01 AM
(http://)
Title: Re: Changing the rearend in my tracker, HELP!
Post by: Nicoles95trkr on May 31, 2012, 11:29:28 AM
its the round part with teeth and the 12 bolts in it. The CENTER of that part is wore out. That is what needs to be replaced. Im a girl, and im learning about my tracker, so please, bare with me...i want to be able to work on this thing myself, Something that i can be proud of and say I did it (with yalls help of course)  :angel:
Title: Re: Changing the rearend in my tracker, HELP!
Post by: Skyhiranger on May 31, 2012, 11:35:55 AM
I think you need to find a new "advisor" - who ever is looking at the stuff seems to have very little more than a basic knowledge of what they're doing - and sooner or later you are going to be led seriously astray.

Nothing in the rear axle is related to the speedometer - the speedometer is driven by two gears in the tailshaft housing of the transfer case - those gears do need to be matched to the final drive ratio in the axle.

The "teeth" on the carrier are most likely part of an ABS (anti-lock braking system) speed sensor - and it would be extremely unusual for them to wear since nothing is supposed to come in to contact with them - nevertheless - carriers do wear and are replaceable.

If that 95 Tracker had been a 95 Sidekick I would have been only too happy to provide you with the part numbers, and a dealer who would probably have them in stock.

You are correct on getting a new "advisor" it is the carrier that has to be replaced. the teeth are all perfect its the CENTER HOLE that is "wore out" i will have to post pictures to better explain myself. never the less, is there ANYWHERE that you know of that i can get this part. i called a dallas, tx rear end place and they said i can not get just that part it has to be the whole housing and it will cost me 700 bucks...no bueno. =(

So it is the hole in the carrier, that the crosspins slide through/into, is what is worn?  I have seen it happen before on samurais, that were ran low on oil in the axle.

You could get a used thirdmember (a thirdmember, or third, will consist of the complete assembly that contains the gears, carrier and center housing), that bolts right into the axle housing.  That would likely be the simplest and cheapest way to go.  The only thing you have to watch out for is to make sure the gear ratio is correct in the replacement third.  According to the info you provided, you need one with 4.30 gears (they will have 10 teeth on the pinion and 43 teeth on the ring gear).  The problem is, 4.30 thirds are not real common to find, but they are out there.
I would guess you should be able to pick up a complete third with 4.30 gears in it, for around $150 + shipping.

edit:
Reading your post that you posted while I was typing this one, it sounds like it is the side gears that are inside the carrier, that are worn (which is kinda uncommon for them to wear enough to cause issues).
So other than the axle shaft being bent (and possibly the axle housing being bent), what makes you think there is anything wrong inside the thirdmember?
Can you take and post a picture of the actual part that is worn/broken?  I want to see the actual worn/broken part.
Title: Re: Changing the rearend in my tracker, HELP!
Post by: fordem on May 31, 2012, 03:17:32 PM
It might be simpler to get a good used 12 bolt differential and swap the ring gear over.

One thing to bear in mind - and I have no issue here with your being a DIY girl - differentials are not for beginners, most of us (me included), lack both the tools and the experience required to set the gears up correctly, and with differentials, if it's not setup correctly from the get go, it'll be noisy.
Title: Re: Changing the rearend in my tracker, HELP!
Post by: Drone637 on June 01, 2012, 09:55:00 AM
Heck, just get a rear end from a Manual tracker that has the ABS sensor and swap the entire rear end.  Don't even bother taking it apart.

Take a look at the FSM (Factory Service Manual) on Acks Faq. It actually walks you through rebuilding the entire differential and how to set it up.  With a feeler gauge and a couple good torque wrenches you can get things setup, just time consuming.
Title: Re: Changing the rearend in my tracker, HELP!
Post by: BRD HNTR on June 04, 2012, 08:59:19 AM

You are correct on getting a new "advisor" it is the carrier that has to be replaced. the teeth are all perfect its the CENTER HOLE that is "wore out" i will have to post pictures to better explain myself. never the less, is there ANYWHERE that you know of that i can get this part. i called a dallas, tx rear end place and they said i can not get just that part it has to be the whole housing and it will cost me 700 bucks...no bueno. =(

Pull A Part & local yards will sell you complete rear end assemblies for |removethispart|@ 1/4 that price, with a small warranty.  If you check with Craigs List you may be lucky enough to find someone parting, or upgrading gears (for larger tires) for even better prices.
I would up grade both front & rear to manual gears 5.125, but that would be a big step unless you already have larger tires.

Your problem with changing Ring Gear & Pinion gears in present diff is going to be
I would suggest you swap in whole third or have a shop make the RG&P switch (for peace of mind).