D4 Steering Clutches

[steamroller]

Hey Guys;
I would like to know what you guys use when setting up the ring & pinion gear,The book says to use red lead? I went to NAPA they can't get it.What about white grease will this work? Or is there something that will work better? Also does anyone have a set of the oil cups for the throwout bearing that mount in front of the seat? I would like to have a set. Thanks again STEAMROLLER

[Toby Nelson]

There is a marking compound made specifically for the purpose of checking gear contact patterns, I've seen it come in white or yellow colors. It works better than grease because it covers the gear teeth really well but is thin enough that only the actual areas contacting each other show up in it. I've compared grease and marking compound on the same ring and pinion job, the grease made it look like a good contact but the marking compound showed the actual mesh a lot better, and made it apparent more adjustment was needed. The trouble I've found with using grease is it usually wants to drag onto the contacting teeth, making the contact area look larger than it actually is. I think NAPA would carry the marking compound, if not you can get it from any business that specializes in automotive differential/drivetrain components, that's where the stuff I use comes from.

[n7gxz]

What you need is called marking compound. Here is a like to Jegg's listing.

http://www.jegs.com/i/Richmond+Gear/...07-1/10002/-1#

And a listing from eBay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MARKI...Q5fAccessories

Kevin

[ccjersey]

Usually if you ask for "prussian blue", you will get something even from the autoparts stores where the counter help doesn't actually have any experience working on machinery. Last tube I bought was a Permatex brand product I believe.

I have used a soft black coating in aerosol cans that is sold for coating plows etc to stop rusting when not being used. It doesn't ever harden like regular paint and can easily be washed off with gasoline when you're through. It does take a little more resistance applied to the driven shaft to get it to make a good mark.

[ol Grump]

I've used white lead (used to be able to get it at hardware stores for plumbing) a few times but Prussian Blue wiped on fairly thin works about the best. Just about any automotive store will have it. .

[daron]

I've heard it referred to as 'bearing blue'.

Daron

[Arthropod]

Go to Ben Franklins (or some art supply store) and buy some prussian blue oil paint. I use that when hand scraping (such as scraping a lathe bed, engine head, etc) or aligning gears.