New ring and pinion OHV break in procedure

TRAIL DEMON FABRICATION: OFF-ROAD ONLY BREAK-IN

Precision Gears. Zero Highway Miles.

If your rig is a dedicated trailer queen, you cannot perform a traditional street break-in. You must be even more disciplined during your first few hours on the trail to ensure your ring and pinion setup doesn't work-harden incorrectly or overheat.

1. THE "YARD WORK" PHASE (First 2 Hours)

Before the rig ever hits a trail, it needs low-load movement to begin the mating process.

• The Routine: Drive the vehicle on flat ground (dirt or gravel is best) for 15 minutes. Use a mix of forward and reverse.

• Vary the RPM: Do not stay at a constant crawl. Shift through the gears to move the oil around the housing and ensure bearings are fully lubricated.

• The Action: Stop and let the differential cool completely to the touch. Repeat this 3–4 times before loading it onto the trailer.

2. THE FIRST COUPLE TRAIL DAYS: "LIGHT & EASY"

Your first real outings are still part of the break-in process.

• NO High-Brake-Load Descents: Avoid long, steep descents where gears are under heavy "coast-side" load. This builds heat rapidly.

• NO Full-Throttle Bounces: Stay off the rev limiter. Shock-loading the teeth before the first fluid change can lead to micro-fractures.

• Avoid High-Heat Scenarios: If you are winching or spotting, use that stationary time to let the diffs cool.

3. TEMPERATURE MONITORING

A perfect install runs cooler, but new gears still build significant friction heat initially.

• The Touch Test: After the first few moderate climbs, check the diff cover. If it’s too hot to keep your hand on for more than a second, let them cool.

4. THE EARLY FLUID CHANGE (10-15 Trail Hours)

We recommend draining the break-in oil after the first 2 full days of wheeling or roughly 15 hours of operation.

• THE TRAIL DEMON RECOMMENDATION: We highly recommend refilling with Redline Heavy Shockproof Oil.

• WHY FOR OFF-ROAD?: It acts like a microscopic cushion, protecting your gear teeth from the "hammer effect" of rock crawling.

• INSPECTION: Finding "fuzz" or “glitter” is expected; large chunks mean we need to look closer.

THE TDF GUARANTEE: We’ve set these gears up to handle the most extreme abuse. Follow these cycles, and they will take you wherever you're brave enough to point the tires.