FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Differential Ring and Pinion-Dana 70

Differential Ring and Pinion-Dana 70














Special Tool(s)





Material

1. Remove the differential carrier assembly.





2. CAUTION: Mark or tag the outboard spacers indicating from which side they were removed.

Remove the outboard spacers.
^ Inspect the spacers for nicks, bending and grooved conditions. Discard them if necessary.





3. Using the special tools, remove the differential bearings.
^ Place the left and right differential bearing shims with the respective outboard spacers.

4. NOTE: Use a vise with brass jaws or wood blocks.

Place the differential case in a vise.





5. NOTE: Whenever removing the ring gear bolts, always install new bolts upon assembly. Use grade 9 bolts for service replacement for all Dana rear axles.

Remove the bolts on the ring gear. Leave 4 bolts loosely assembly, 90 degrees apart.





6. Tap each bolt head alternately with a rawhide or plastic hammer to loosen the ring gear. Remove the bolts and the ring gear.





7. If required, remove the anti-lock speed sensor ring with a soft-faced hammer. Discard the anti-lock speed sensor ring.





8. To maintain driveline balance, index-mark the driveshaft flange yoke and the pinion flange.





9. Remove the 4 bolts.





10. CAUTION: The driveshaft flange yoke fits tightly on the pinion flange yoke. Never hammer on the driveshaft or any of its components to disconnect the yoke from the flange. Pry only in the area shown, with a suitable tool, to disconnect the yoke from the flange.

Using a suitable tool as shown, disconnect the driveshaft flange yoke from the pinion flange and support the driveshaft using mechanic's wire.





11. CAUTION: Index-mark the pinion flange to the pinion shaft prior to removal.

Use the special tool to prevent the flange from turning while removing the lock nut and washer.





12. Using the special tool, remove the pinion flange.





13. NOTE: There are drive pinion bearing preload shims and a preload spacer on the spline-end of the pinion. These shims and spacer can stick to the pinion, the pinion bearing, or they can fall out of the differential housing. Collect and keep the shims and spacer for reassembly.

Using a soft-face hammer, tap the pinion out of the pinion bearing cup and remove it through the rear of the differential housing.





14. Using the special tools, remove and discard the pinion seal.
15. Remove the oil slinger and the pinion bearing.





16. CAUTION: Do not nick the differential housing bore.

Using the special tools, remove the outer pinion bearing cup.
^ For Model 70 axles, use tools 205-D054 and 205-D055.





17. Using the special tools, remove the inner pinion bearing cup.
^ Use tools 205-D052 and 205-D055.





18. Using the special tool, remove the inner pinion bearing.

19. NOTE: Discard the drive pinion position shim if bent or nicked. If discarding the shim, measure and record the shim thickness.

Remove the drive pinion position shim.





20. Position the inner and outer pinion bearing cups and the special tools in their respective differential housing bores.
1. After placing the inner and outer pinion bearing cups in their bores, place the special tool (inner) on the inner pinion bearing cup.
2. Place the special tool (outer) on the outer pinion bearing cup.
3. Install the special tool.





21. Tighten the special tool to seat the pinion bearing cups into their bores.





22. NOTE: If the feeler gauge can fit between a cup and the bottom of its bore at any point around the cup, remove and reseat the cup.

Check that the cups have seated correctly in their bores.





23. NOTE: The tab on the anti-lock speed sensor ring must be aligned with the slot in the differential case.

Install the anti-lock speed sensor ring if removed.
^ Align the tab in the anti-lock speed sensor ring with the slot in the differential case. Start the 2 ring gear bolts through the differential case flange into the ring gear to make sure the differential case and the ring gear bolt hole align.





24. Press the anti-lock speed sensor ring on the differential case. The differential case flange acts as a pilot for the anti-lock speed sensor ring.
25. Apply threadlock to the new ring gear bolts.





26. Install and tighten the grade 9 ring gear bolts alternately and evenly.
^ Tighten to 176 Nm (130 ft. lbs.).





27. Install the outboard spacers in the side from which they were removed.





28. NOTE: Remove all nicks, burrs and dirt from the differential case hubs, to allow the bearings to rotate freely.

Place the special tool on the differential case hubs and position the assembly into the differential housing.
^ For Model 70 axles, use tool 205-D048.





29. NOTE: Use a dial indicator with a minimum travel capability of 5.08 mm (0.200 inch).

NOTE: The rear axle uses a combination of differential bearing shims and selective outboard spacers to control differential case end play. The old outboard spacers provide a good starting point when setting end play. However, if additional shimming is necessary, beyond what the hardened differential bearing shims can provide, select and install different thickness outboard spacers.

Mount the special tools as shown. Locate the tip of special tool 308-021 on a flat surface on 1 of the bolts.





30. NOTE: Repeat this step and the following step until the same reading appears on the indicator each time. Record the reading. This is the total differential bearing shim thickness required, less preload. The final calculation occurs later during assembly.

Force the differential case as far as possible toward the indicator. With force still applied, set the indicator at 0.





31. Force the differential case as far as it will go in the opposite direction. Record the total differential case end play reading.





32. After making sure the reading is correct, remove the special tools and the differential from the differential housing. Do not remove the Master Bearings from the differential case at this time.





33. NOTE: This step simulates pinion bearing preload.





Using a Nm (inch-pound) torque wrench, tighten the special tool to specification.





34. NOTE: This step simulates pinion bearing preload.





Using a Nm (inch-pound) torque wrench, tighten the special tool to specification.





35. NOTE: Offset the special tool as shown to obtain an accurate reading.

Rotate the special tool several half-turns to seat the pinion bearings and position the special tool as shown.





36. Install the special tool.
1. Position the special tool.
For Model 70TR axles, use tool 205-D038.
2. Install the bearing caps.
3. Install the bolts.





37. NOTE: Use a feeler gauge or flat, clean drive pinion position shims as a measuring devise.

NOTE: Do not attempt to force the gauge or shim between the special tools. A slight drag indicates a correct selection.

Using a feeler gauge or flat, clean drive pinion position shims, measure between the special tools. Record the measurement. Refer to Pinion Ring Gear Variation Number for shim selection information.
^ Remove the special tools after making the correct shim selection.

38. CAUTION: Follow the drive pinion bearing preload shim and drive pinion position shim assembly sequence as directed or unit failure can result.

Install the correct thickness drive pinion position shim on the pinion.





39. NOTE: Always use the same new inner pinion bearing installed when taking the measurement for drive pinion shim selection.

Using the special tool, an axle bearing/seal plate and a suitable press, install the pinion bearing.
^ For Model 70 axles, use tool 205-005.

40. NOTE: Use the thickness of the old drive pinion bearing preload shims as a starting point for setting pinion bearing preload. On Model 70 axles, add the thickness of the pinion preload spacer to the thickness of the old drive pinion bearing preload shims.

Inspect the drive pinion bearing preload shims for damage. Discard them if necessary. New shims are available in the thickness shown in the following chart.








Available Drive Pinion Bearing Preload Shims

41. CAUTION: The pinion preload spacer must always go on the pinion before the drive pinion bearing preload shims.

Assemble the pinion preload spacer onto the pinion.
42. Assemble the drive pinion bearing preload shims onto the pinion and install the pinion into the differential housing.
43. Install the outer pinion bearing.
44. Install the pinion flange.





45. Use the special tool to prevent the flange from turning while installing the old washer and the lock nut.
^ Tighten to 339 Nm (250 ft. lbs.).





46. Using an inch-pound torque wrench, rotate the pinion. The torque must read as specified.
^ To increase the preload, remove drive pinion bearing preload shims. To decrease the preload, add shims.





47. With the drive pinion at the correct preload as determined earlier in this procedure, remove and discard the lock nut and the washer. Use the special tool to prevent the flange from turning.





48. Using the special tool, remove the pinion flange.
49. Lubricate the pinion seal rubber lips.
^ Use Premium Rear Axle Lubricant.





50. Using a suitable driver, install the pinion seal.
^ After installation, verify that the garter spring did not pop out of the seal. If the garter spring popped out, install a new pinion seal.
51. Coat the inside of the pinion flange with a small amount of lubricant.
^ For Model 70 axles, use Premium Rear Axle Lubricant.
52. Install the pinion flange.





53. CAUTION: Always install a new washer and lock nut.

Use the special tool to prevent the flange from turning while installing the new washer and lock nut.
^ Tighten to 339 Nm (250 ft. lbs.).





54. Position the differential carrier assembly with the Master Bearings in the axle housing. Install the special tools and locate the tip of special tool 308-021 on a flat surface.





55. NOTE: Repeat this step and the following step until the same reading appears on the indicator each time. This is the differential bearing shim thickness necessary between the differential case and the differential bearing on the differential ring gear side of the differential case.

Force the differential case away from the drive pinion. With force still applied, set the indicator at 0.





56. Force the differential ring gear into mesh with the pinion, to obtain an indicator reading. Record the reading.





57. Remove the special tools and the differential case from the differential housing.
58. Remove the Master Bearings from the differential case.
59. Place one shim, of the necessary thickness, as determined from the previous measurement, on the LH side of the differential case. If additional shimming is necessary, beyond what the hardened differential bearing shim can provide, select and install a different thickness outboard spacer.





60. Using the special tool, install the differential bearing on the LH side of the differential case.
61. Determine the correct shim thickness and place it on the differential case hub on the RH side.
^ To determine the correct shim thickness, first, subtract the reading of the previous measurement from the total differential case end play reading. Then, add 0.25 mm (0.010 inch) to this amount. This is the correct thickness shim to place on the hub. If additional shimming is necessary, beyond what the hardened differential bearing shim can provide, select and install a different thickness outboard spacer.





62. Using the special tools, install the differential bearing.
1. Place the special tool on the differential bearing to protect it during the installation of the opposite bearing.
2. Using the special tool, drive the differential bearing onto the hub.
63. Assemble the differential bearing cups to the differential bearings.





64. CAUTION: Do not spread the differential housing more than specified.

CAUTION: Avoid nicking the ring gear teeth and the anti-lock speed sensor ring during assembly.

Using the special tools, spread the differential housing to the specification.
^ Use a rawhide hammer to seat the differential into the differential housing pocket.
Remove the special tools.





65. CAUTION: Match the mating letters as noted during disassembly.

Install the bearing caps, aligning the letters with those on the differential housing.
^ Tighten to 108 Nm (80 ft. lbs.).





66. Confirm the total preload.
^ Using an inch-pound torque wrench, check the torque to rotate the pinion. The reading must be higher than the initial reading (taken without the differential case installed) with new bearings installed as recommended by the following:
3.54 and 3.73 = 0.9 Nm (8 inch lbs.)
4.10 and 4.56 = 0.8 Nm (7 inch lbs.)
4.63 and 5.13 = 0.8 Nm (7 inch lbs.)
^ If the total preload is too high, remove an equal amount of differential bearing shims from each differential case hub. If the total preload is too low, add an equal amount of differential bearing shims to each differential case hub.





67. Using the special tools, measure the differential ring gear and pinion backlash at three equally spaced points.
68. Carry out the tooth contact pattern check to verify the final pinion position is correct.

69. Install the axle shafts.





70. CAUTION: The driveshaft flange yoke fits tightly on the pinion flange pilot. To make sure that the yoke seats squarely on the flange, tighten the bolts evenly in a cross pattern as shown.

CAUTION: Install the driveshaft with new bolts. If new bolts are not available, apply sealer to the threads of the original bolts.

Position the driveshaft flange yoke on the pinion flange with the index marks aligned and install the new bolts.
^ Tighten to 112 Nm (83 ft. lbs.).





71. CAUTION: Clean both flat surfaces (differential housing and differential housing cover) with a suitable solvent to remove all traces of oil film.

CAUTION: Install the differential housing cover within 15 minutes of applying the silicone, or it will be necessary to apply new sealant.

NOTE: The differential housing cover uses silicone rubber sealant as a gasket.

Apply a continuous bead of silicone sealant, of the specified thickness, to the differential housing cover.
72. Place 2 bolts into the differential housing cover at the 8 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions. Install the differential housing cover.
^ Use the 2 bolts to position the differential housing cover on the differential housing.





73. Install the remaining bolts. Tighten the bolts alternately and evenly.
^ Tighten grade 5 bolts to 47 Nm (35 ft. lbs.).
^ Tighten grade 8 bolts to 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.).
^ Allow 1-hour cure time before filling the axle with the correct amount of specified lubricant.
74. Fill the axle with the specified type and amount of lubricant.