Hi Dave,

You might be able to use your carrier bearing adjuster to hold the pinion flange while removing the pinion nut. The FSM shows a special tool to prevent it from turning.

If a 7.5" ring gear is on a 7.5" carrier it will be centered.

If a 7" ring gear is on a 7" carrier it will be centered.

If a 7.5" ring gear is on a 7" carrier it will need a shim ring to be centered.

Here is a similar spacer to put Sidekick ring gears on a Samuri diff: spacer ring

I don't think there is enough diameter difference between the 26 spline and the 28 spline axles to make an adapter sleeve. Even if there was, it would be more expensive to make than a side gear with the proper splines.

Could you tell if the holes were evenly spaced on both the 7" and the 7.5" ring gears?

Last edited by wd8cdh; 10/25/04 04:05 PM.
Ron Schroeder
Long Island NY
99 4DR auto Sportage, 30x950R15 tires, 3/4" strut spacer, rear air springs, Manual Hubs, FRONT Torsen LSD
00 Safari AWD, 2" lift, 30x9.50 tires, 4x4 conversion in progress
73 Pinzgauer Swiss Army troop carrier