Ring and Pinion
 

Hey guy's, does anyone have any idea how long it takes to replace the ring and pinion in a 2008 GT convertible. Purchased everything I need from American Muscle but having a hard time finding someone to tackle the job other than the local dealership. The convertible has a little more stuff under the car that has to be removed (so I'm told) to get the gears out? Need help asap! Thanks,

Not familiar with convertibles, so can't confirm your statement of "more stuff to be removed", but the gears on mine only took a few hours, and that was with having to replace the pinion bearing.

Ring & Pinion
 

Good luck. Changing ring & pinion is probably a job best left to a professional. Hope the job goes well for you.

I am with Goldenpony. I did this job myself but needed to collect the necessary tools to do the swap. Here is the list of what you need:

• Hammer
• Bearing and Seal Driver Set
• Beam Inch Pound Torque Wrench
• ½” Drive Torque Wrench
• ½” Drive 24” Breaker Bar
• 6” Two Jaw Puller
• Mag Base and Dial Indicator
• Pinion Flange Holding Tool
• Carrier Bearing Install Press
• Inner Pinion Bearing Install Press
• 5 lb. Slide Hammer
• Axle bearing puller set
• 1-1/16” ½” drive socket, ¼ Female to 3/8 Male adapter
• Pry bar
• 3/16” Allen Key
• 3/8” Ratchet
• 12mm 12 point 3/8" deep socket
• 13/16” Deep Socket

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Hey DJ -

That's really on the odd side that the dealers saying this. I know most if not all the convertible parts are adjacent to the trunk and a rear end is a rear end.

Maybe someone else can chime in here but I honestly don't think it's not that much different than doing a gear swap on a coupe.

If you're going to tackle this I would really suggest getting a couple guys that have done gears before. Either asking in here or putting something up in a local thread to get some help.

The room for error on gears in incredibly slim meaning if they're not installed correctly they'll whine/sing which will result in you needing to pull them out and have them reset.

Take a look at this gear install guide Right Here for a better idea of what's involved.

I might suggest taking a look outside of town as well for a speed shop. (Be it Mustang or Corvette as a rear end is a rear end) Maybe even check with another dealer.

Let me know if you have any questions and I'm here to help.

Alex

Hopefully will be swapping out the gears this weekend? Changing from a 3.31.to a 3.55 and replacing clutches in LSD. The car is not raced at all so I didn't want 3.73's although everyone is telling that's what I should've ordered. Just felt like a 3.55 would be the best all round gear for daily driving and once and awhile interstate trip from the coast of NC down to Key West. Thanks to everyone for your input!

I have 3.55s in my '06 GT 'Vert (factory). I think they're a great DD gear.

There is extra bracing in the back on a convertible, but really it is only 6 bolts and the brace comes out. Not all that complicated or time consuming. My local shop had no problems at all doing a gear swap.

The car only has 38k miles on it. Should I go ahead and change the axle bearings and seals since I have it this far down?

It wouldn't hurt.