Dodge ram truck 3500 1996 Service Manual page 138

3 - 72 DIFFERENTIAL AND DRIVELINE B R
ADJUSTMENTS {Continued)
DIFFERENTIAL BEARING PRELOAD AND GEAR
LASH
BEARING PRELOAD AMD GEAR LASH
ADJUSTMENT
The following must be considered when adjusting
bearing preload and gear backlash:
• The maximum ring gear backlash variation is
0.003 inch (0.076 mm)
• Mark the gears so the same teeth are meshed
during all backlash measurements
• Maintain the torque while adjusting the bearing
preload and ring gear backlash
• Excessive adjuster torque will Introduce a high
bearing load and cause premature bearing failure.
Insufficient torque can cause excessive differential
case free-play and ring gear noise
• Insufficient adjuster torque will not support the
ring gear correctly. This can cause excessive differen­
tial case free-play and ring gear noise.
T h e d i f f e r e n t i a l b e a r i n g c u p s w i l l n o t a l w a y s
i m m e d i a t e l y follow the threaded a d j u s t e r s as
t h e y a r e m o v e d d u r i n g a d j u s t m e n t . E n s u r e
a c c u r a t e b e a r i n g c u p responses t o t h e a d j u s t ­
m e n t s . M a i n t a i n t h e g e a r t e e t h e n g a g e d
(meshed), as m a r k e d . T h e b e a r i n g s m u s t b e
s e a t e d b y r a p i d l y r o t a t i n g t h e p i n i o n g e a r a
h a l f t u r n b a c k and f o r t h . D o t h i s f i v e t o t e n
t i m e s e a c h t i m e t h e t h r e a d e d a d j u s t e r s a r e
a d j u s t e d .
(1) Use Wrench C-4164 to adjust each threaded
adjuster inward (Fig. 41). Adjust until the differen­
tial bearing free-play Is eliminated. Allow some ring
gear backlash (approximately 0.01 inch/0.25 mm)
between the ring and pinion gear. Seat the bearing
cups with the procedure described above.
Fig, 41 Threaded Adjuster Toot
(2) Install Dial Indicator (Fig. 42). Position the
plunger against the drive side of a ring gear tooth.
Measure the backlash at 4 positions (90 degrees
apart) around the ring gear. Locate and mark the
area of minimum backlash.
(3) Rotate the ring gear to the position of the least
backlash. Mark the gear so that all future backlash
measurements will be taken with the same gear
teeth meshed.
Fig. 42 Ring Gear Backlash Measurement
(4) Loosen the right-side, tighten the left-side
threaded adjuster. Obtain backlash of 0.003 to 0.004
inch (0.076 to 0.102 mm) with each adjuster tight­
ened to 14 N-m (10 ft. lbs.) torque. Seat the bearing
cups with the procedure described above.
(5) Tighten the differential bearing cap bolts to'
136 N-m (100 ft. lbs.) torque.
(6) Use Wrench C-4164 to tighten the right-side
threaded adjuster to 102 N-m (75 ft. lbs.) torque.
Seat the bearing cups with the procedure described
above. Continue to tighten the right-side adjuster
and seat bearing cups until the torque remains con­
stant at 102 N-m (75 ft, lbs.)
(7) Measure the ring gear backlash. The range of
backlash is 0.006 to 0.008 inch (0.15 to 0.203 mm).
Continue increasing the torque at the right-side
threaded adjuster until the specified backlash is
obtained.
The left-side threaded adjuster torque should
have approximately 102 N«m (75 f t . lbs.) t o r q u e .
If t h e t o r q u e is c o n s i d e r a b l y less, t h e c o m p l e t e
a d j u s t m e n t p r o c e d u r e m u s t b e r e p e a t e d .
(8) Tighten the left-side threaded adjuster until
102 N-m (75 ft. lbs.) torque is indicated. Seat the
bearing rollers with the procedure described above.
Do this until the torque remains constant.
(9) Install the threaded adjuster locks. Ensure the
lock finger is engaged with the adjuster hole. Tighten
the lock screws to 10 N-m (90 in. lbs.) torque.