IRS Diff Shims - Placement

[jenkinso]

This will sound like a really daft question but I just cannot find a diagram that shows the answer …

On an 081 T1 IRS trans, where exactly do the diff bearing shims that allow the bearing pre-load and ring gear backlash sit?

I’m assuming they either sit between the diff bearing and the diff (slid into place before the bearing is pressed onto the diff), or between the diff bearing and the side cover (slid into place before the outer bearing race is pressed into the cover)?

There, I’ve given in and shown my ignorance!

An answer would be great. A diagram even better

Thx
Steve
UK

[Bruce.m]

There are shims behind the bearing race, in the side cover.

[jenkinso]

Thx for the info. Much appreciated.

I’m so pleased I’ve pressed the races into my new side covers already!

It’ll be a pain to set up the ring gear backlash if I’ve got to keep pressing the races out and then back into the covers to juggle the shims around but if that’s the way it’s got to be done …

[Bruce.m]

I understand the trick is to modify an old bearing race so it can be slipped into the cover without force, and use them for the set up.

[kangaboy]

Interesting, For whatever reason I would have thought shimming happens between the bearing and the diff. With my current situation I have no bearing pre-load, and will need several shims. Is machining the HD side cover a more durable option? Or is shimming the race in the side cover as mentioned a more general practice?

[Clatter]

While they say that all side cover bearings should have similar measurements,
I have found some differences between brands or batches.
Since my bearings all come from Weddle, i got an extra set of diff bearings,
Then took the ID of the inner and the OD of the outer races down to make them slip on/off easily.
Use them as 'setup bearings' so i can get all of the shims right easily...
Once I'm sure i have it all shimmed up, a final set of new unmodified bearings goes in and a final is check done.