Side Bearing Preload Adjustment
SIDE BEARING PRELOAD ADJUSTMENT
Special Tools:
NOTE: Select the pinion shim before performing this procedure.
1. Clean the differential bearing cup bore in the axle housing.
2. Install Dummy Bearing in the axle housing.
3. Clean the differential bearing cup bore in the axle housing cover.
4. Install Dummy Bearing in the axle housing cover.
5. Install the differential into the axle housing.
6. Install the axle housing cover and tighten the bolts to 10 Nm (7 ft. lbs.).
7. Set up the dial indicator (1) to measure endplay on the housing side of the differential (2).
8. From the housing side of the differential, press the differential toward the case cover, then zero the dial indicator (1).
9. From the case cover side, press the differential toward the housing side, and record the measurement.
10. Add 1.33 mm (0.052 in.) to the empty case measurement taken in the previous step and record the results. This is the total dimension of both differential shims when installed.
11. Remove the dial indicator.
12. Remove the axle housing cover.
13. Fully install the pinion.
14. Install the Dummy Bearing in the axle housing, then install the differential carrier into the axle housing.
15. Install Dummy Bearing in the axle housing cover, and install the axle housing cover. Tighten the bolts to 10 Nm (7 ft. lbs.).
16. Set up the dial indicator (1) as before.
17. From the housing side of the differential, press the differential toward the case cover, then zero the dial indicator (1).
18. From the case cover side, press the differential toward the housing side, and record the measurement.
19. Subtract 0.27 mm (0.01 in.) from the measurement found in the previous step. This is the size of the shim that should be installed in the housing cover.
20. Subtract the size of the selected housing cover shim from the measurement found in step 11. This is the size of the shim that should be installed in the housing.
21. Check ring gear backlash. Final ring gear backlash should be 0.21 mm +/- 0.13 mm (0.008 in. +/- 0.005 in.).
22. If backlash measurement is less than 0.08 mm (0.003 in.), it is necessary to decrease the shim thickness on the ring gear (left) side, and increase the thickness on the pinion (right) side.
23. If backlash measurement is greater than 0.34 mm (0.013 in.), it is necessary to increase the shim thickness on the ring gear (right) side, and decrease the thickness on the pinion (left) side.
24. Check the gear contact pattern, and adjust as necessary. Refer to GEAR CONTACT PATTERN
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GEAR CONTACT PATTERN
Figure 3 - Gear Tooth Contact Patterns
NOTE: The ring gear and pinion teeth contact patterns will show if the pinion depth is correct in the housing. It will also show if the ring gear backlash has been adjusted correctly. The backlash can be adjusted within specifications to achieve desired tooth contact patterns.
1. Install the differential side bearings and pinion bearings.
2. Install the selected differential bearing and pinion shims in the differential housing and cover, and install the bearing cups.
3. Install the differential carrier and pinion in the differential housing.
4. Apply a thin coat of hydrated ferric oxide or equivalent to the drive and coast side of the ring gear teeth.
5. Install the differential housing cover. Tighten the bolts to 28 Nm (20 ft. lbs.).
6. Make a witness mark on the differential carrier.
7. Hold the differential case from freely rotating. This will provide a more distinct contact pattern.
8. Rotate the pinion until the witness mark on the differential case has made one complete revolution in both directions.
9. Note and compare patterns on the ring gear teeth to Gear Tooth Contact Patterns chart and adjust pinion depth and gear backlash as necessary. The areas on the ring gear teeth with the greatest degree of contact against the pinion teeth will push the compound to the areas with the least amount of contact.