Ring & Pinion shims

[Bruce2]

In talking to VW transaxle builders that see far more volume than I do, they have noted that in most cases the thickness of the pinion bearing shim is almost always the same.

For example, an old German mechanic trained by VW of Germany in the 50s told me that a G type 3.88 usually has a 0.6mm shim. The last 3.88 G type gearbox I opened up had a 0.6mm shim, just like he said.

In this topic, I'd like to hear from those that have made observations on what shim thickness is usually with what R&P with a LATE pinion bearing. (We can do the early bearing later)

G 4.37
K 4.37
O 4.37

G 4.12
K 4.12
O 4.12 0.55mm

G 3.88 0.6mm
K 3.88

[Hotbugsy]

I have run .035 shim in my Rhino cased gear box for Years . I run the car with my turbo set up and have never had a failure... When the ring gear gets noisy, I swap it out for another and re-use the same shim . I know a few people out there that once they find the shim that is most happy in there , thats what they stay with . My spare box will also has the same shim . This don't mean I'm correct, but when you find somthing that works , why change it ?

[Bruce2]

Looking for info on Late pinion bearings, not early.

[Hotbugsy]

Oops .... I have one car that has a late styly bearing in it . It is a turbo setup also , but I don't abuse it enough to need Trans work .... at least no yet .

[Bruce2]

Update from Mike at Rancho.

G 4.37
K 4.37
O 4.37

G 4.12 0.6mm - 0.625mm
K 4.12
O 4.12 0.55mm

G 3.88 0.6mm
K 3.88

[Hotbugsy]

My spare Trans had to come apart due to breaking the case in half all the way around ! I used a .018 Shim on my late style big nut set up . Wear pattern looked great ! No broken Teeth from the explosion either ! If I ever use the late style big nut setup again, I will use the same set up with that size shim .

[Bruce2]

I used a .018 Shim on my late style big nut set up ..

Good info, what was the R&P ratio and type?

Here's an update:

G 4.37
K 4.37
O 4.37

G 4.12 0.6mm - 0.625mm (from Mike @ Rancho), mine was 0.55mm
K 4.12
O 4.12 0.55mm

G 3.88 0.6mm
K 3.88

[Hotbugsy]

G.. 3.88 R/P up aginst 2387cc turbo. Black majic disc . The track was glued to hold 6sec street door slammers . 1st explosion I have gone thru with out a tooth gone on the pinnion.

[dangerous]

The most recent boxes I have seen had G4.125 .7mm shim.
G3.875 and G4.375 were both .6mm

[Bruce2]

The new list:

K 4.62 .50mm

G 4.37 .6mm
K 4.37
O 4.37

G 4.12 .6mm - .625mm (from Mike @ Rancho), .55, .70, .55, .60, .60
K 4.12
O 4.12 .55mm

G 3.88 .6mm, .6mm
K 3.88
O 3.88

I added a few more.

[Dougy Dee]

A recently purchased G 3.88 setup needed a .50mm shim to measure to the deviation number indicated on the ring gear. This went in to a new Rhino case with 4 bolt retainer..

[Bruce2]

Thanks for the input DD. However, I intended this topic as a collection of shims for late pinion bearings, not early. The same R&P will use a different thickness of shim with each bearing.

K 4.62 .50mm

G 4.37 .6mm
K 4.37
O 4.37

G 4.12 .6mm - .625mm (from Mike @ Rancho), .55, .70, .55, .60, .60
K 4.12
O 4.12 .55mm

G 3.88 .6mm, .6mm, .65mm, .65mm
K 3.88
O 3.88

[Dougy Dee]

Yeah, I saw the late pinion bearing reference as I hit the 'submit' button...

Just pulled a G 4.125 down with .64mm chims (.50 + .14) in SSC case.

[Lo cash lester]

Just pulled a K-3.88 apart and found .1mm shim. This was, as far as I can tell, a factory build. Had been setting for a very long time and everything looked premo inside. Ended up using the same shim in another case for a swing axle car. Lester

K 4.62 .50mm

G 4.37 .6mm
K 4.37
O 4.37

G 4.12 .6mm - .625mm (from Mike @ Rancho), .55, .70, .55, .60, .60
K 4.12
O 4.12 .55mm

G 3.88 .6mm, .6mm, .65mm, .65mm
K 3.88 .1mm
O 3.88

[Bruce2]

Bentley lists .15mm as the smallest shim. Are you sure about the one you found? Could there have been a conversion error?