Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 167

3 - 86 REAR AXLE - 9 1/4
REAR AXLE - 9 1/4 (Continued)
(4) Place Arbor Disc 8541 on Arbor D-115-3 in posi-
tion in the housing side bearing cradles (Fig. 7).
Install differential bearing caps on arbor discs and
tighten cap bolts to 41 N·m (30 ft. lbs.).
NOTE: Arbor Discs 8541 has different step diame-
ters to fit other axles. Choose proper step for axle
being serviced.
Fig. 7 PINION DEPTH TOOLS
1 - ARBOR DISC
2 - PINION BLOCK
3 - ARBOR
4 - PINION HEIGHT BLOCK
(5) Assemble Dial Indicator C-3339 into Scooter
Block D-115-2 and secure set screw.
(6) Place Scooter Block/Dial Indicator in position
in axle housing so dial probe and scooter block are
flush against the rearward surface of the pinion
height block (Fig. 5). Hold scooter block in place and
zero the dial indicator. Tighten dial indicator face
lock screw.
(7) Slide the dial indicator probe across the gap
between the pinion height block and the arbor bar
with the scooter block against the pinion height block
(Fig. 8). Continue moving the dial probe to the crest
of the arbor bar and record the highest reading.
(8) Select a shim equal to the dial indicator read-
ing plus the drive pinion gear depth variance number
marked on the shaft of the pinion. For example, if
the depth variance is –2, add +0.002 in. to the dial
indicator reading.
Fig. 8 PINION GEAR DEPTH MEASUREMENT
1 - ARBOR
2 - SCOOTER BLOCK
3 - DIAL INDICATOR
DIFFERENTIAL BEARING PRELOAD AND GEAR
BACKLASH
The following must be considered when adjusting
bearing preload and gear backlash:
• The maximum ring gear backlash variation is
0.076 mm (0.003 in.).
• 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 adjuster torque can result in excessive
differential case free-play and ring gear noise.
• Insufficient adjuster torque will not support the
ring gear correctly and can cause excessive differen-
tial case free-play and ring gear noise.
NOTE: The differential bearing cups will not always
immediately follow the threaded adjusters as they
are moved during adjustment. To ensure accurate
bearing cup responses to the adjustments:
• Maintain the gear teeth engaged (meshed) as
marked.
• The bearings must be seated by rapidly rotat-
ing the pinion gear a half turn back and forth.
• Do this five to ten times each time the threaded
adjusters are adjusted.
DR