2000 blazer 4x4 NP8 I have to replace the spider gears in my truck, one has 2 teeth chipped all others seem fine. My question is do you have to adjust the backlash if you only replace the spider gears? And are Yukon gears O.K.? Please if you read this shoot me a quick response thanks.

 

No backlash adjustment is required. Just remove the axles. Don't loosen the carrier or the pinion bolts. I installed a Yukon open spider kit #YGA-16049 last summer. It's worked fine so far through winter. Spinning on ice to catching dry pavement is the reason I went with Yukon and I'm as happy as I can be with a one-wheel peel. Also, if your cover doesn't have a magnet, rtv one on it to catch the gear chips.

 

Thanks for getting back Rusty. I am replacing mine with a YPKGM7.625-S-28 spider kit which now that I checked Yukons web site is the same kit. I was definitely hoping no backlash adjustments were needed. Curious though why did you need to replace yours?

 

They were chipped up pretty bad and making noise above 40 mph. The chips concerned me enough to replace all the bearings and ring and pinion gears which did require setting the correct backlash. Watch a couple you tube videos on replacing spider gears, the worst part of the job is smelling the gear oil.

 

My truck is making what sounds like a loud tire or howl when I go 45 mph and let off the throttle. First thought it was a front hub but I was wrong. Then went after the rear brakes, wrong again but needed them bad anyway so no foul. Then went for the rear bearings. Right side was bad but when reassembling and cleaning up the diff found one of the gears with two chipped teeth but the ring and pinion gears look fine. So on to the spider gears. Will post with the results this weekend. Thanks.