rob_macca67 wrote:
Guys.....
Firstly, I know that R&P's usually only come as a "matched" set, but I was wondering "if" u can interchange between different sets?
....... is it possible to take the Pinion (8-tooth) from the 4.625 set and use it with my good 5.12 ring(41-tooth) to make a complete 5.12 R&P set again?
cheers...
rob
The answer is a BIG NO! Even though both ratios have 8 gears on the pinion gear, they are cut at a different dimeter and angle to specifically match the teeth on the ring gear.
As you yourself have noted, the ring gears have 37 and 41 teeth. To fit this number of teeth on a ring gear of a certain dimeter and size, the teeth must be cut at a different pitch (the spacing between different teeth). This then involves changing the height of the teeth and the angle of the faces, and usually the thickness of the ring gear. All these differences mean that the gear teeth on the pinion gears will also have different forms and the "cone" shape of the pinion will also be different to suit the thickness of the ring gear.
As mnemonix said, even gears of identical ratios (and therefore design) need to be carefully lapped to ensure proper mesh and clearance for proper contact and long life, and it's best to keep them as matched sets even when in used condition.