How to Reuse Ring Gear Bolts

Approach the ring gear bolt threads carefully, as the may be either lefr handed or right handed threads.

If you are installing a new differential or just performing basic maintenance, you may not need to replace the ring gear bolts with new ones. If you know the history of the vehicle and are comfortable with the perceived integrity of the ring gear bolts, you can reuse them. If you are using second-hand ring gear bolts from a junkyard, however, you should exercise caution. Once you reach the ring gear bolts, preparing them to be reused is a cinch.

Things You'll Need

• Torque wrench
• Nonflammable cleaning solution
• Utility brush
• Thread locking solution

Instructions

1. Remove the differential from the housing. This may take more than one person as, depending upon the vehicle make and model, the differential can be heavy.

2. Remove the ring gear bolts from the ring gear. Be careful, however, as some ring gear bolts may have left-handed thread and turning them to the left can over-tighten the bolts and cause them to snap.

3. Wash the ring gear bolts and other parts you may have disassembled for this project in a nonflammable cleaning solution. Use a utility brush to get in between the threads. Let the bolts dry.

4. Apply a thread locking solution to the bolt threads.

5. Reinstall the ring gear bolts by inserting one bolt, then the next bolt across the diameter of the ring gear on the other side. Continue this crisscross pattern.

6. Torque the bolts to vehicle specifications.

Tips & Warnings

• While you can certainly reuse ring gear bolts, it is recommend that you replace them with new. Normal wear and tear can, over time, jeopardize the integrity of car parts.

References

• Eaton: Detroit Truetrac Limited Slip Differential Front Axle Installation Instruction
• Elgene Chemical: Industrial Cleaner
• Loctite: Threadlocking Guide