I'm working on the Youkon 5.29 install for the front of my 4Runner. I am having trouble getting the neccessary carrier bearing pre-load. I have installed new bearings and even ordered an assortment of shims, but, even with the thickest shims I have (.126" and .122"), the carrier drops in by hand. Being a Zuk diff disciple, I aim for significant bearing pre-load and am nowhere close. I don't have any other shims laying around to add. There doesn't appear to be any excessive wear on the housing or carrier and the bearings are new. Any suggestions on my best course of action?

The dealership has those thick steel washers/shim for about 8 bucks each. Measure the thickness of your present 2 steel "washers" and factor in the backlash and order the right thickness. That's one way.

Another is to get a dana44 pinion shim kit maybe from Randys. Should be very reasonable....the outside diameter is perfect.....bet they can sell them by themselves. I'm 94% sure it's the dana 44 shim pack.....shims vary in thickness from .003 on up.


EDIT------------just re-read post....OK....I see you went the dealership route. That is kinda strange that the thickest shims didn't work. Wonder what that's all about. Sounds like a call to Randys.

Is the carrier bearing a Nachi? #50KB801?

I had a similar problem with my front as well. My solution was to play around with some domestic shims (not sure what they where for but they fit over the tru trac bearing journals quiet well) to get the clearance close enough to use the shim pack to make final adjustments. Once I had the proper amount of shims figured out I pulled the bearings off the Tru trac and placed the assorted shims between the TT and the bearings. This allowed me to get the setting close enough to use the shim kit to set the final preload. I wish I had taken a pic for ya <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I managed to scrounge up some Dana 44 shims and they fit perfectly. Now, I need to press off a bearing (Timken brand) and slide in a few shims. Thanks for the help, this should work great! Work is slow tomorrow so I might even have time to finish it off.

I've found that Dana 44 and 30 shims work really well in the rear for various needs, FWIW. The J**p shop down the street is beginning to remember my name... Handy. Not surprised to find they have front application.

I finished the final assembly today and it turned out great. Thanks for all of the help.