Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 198

DR
REAR AXLE - 10 1/2 AA (Continued)
Fig. 5 GAUGE TOOLS IN HOUSING
1 - ARBOR DISC
2 - PINION BLOCK
3 - ARBOR
4 - PINION HEIGHT BLOCK
Fig. 6 PINION GEAR DEPTH MEASUREMENT
1 - ARBOR
2 - SCOOTER BLOCK
3 - DIAL INDICATOR
DIFFERENTIAL CASE BEARING PRELOAD AND
GEAR BACKLASH
Backlash is adjusted by moving the adjusters in
and out or both. By moving the adjusters the case/
ring gear will move closer or further away from the
pinion. In most cases this adjustment can be used to
achieve the correct gear tooth pattern and set the
case bearing preload.
(1) Remove adjuster lock bolts and adjuster locks
(Fig. 7).
(2) Loosen the differential bearing caps.
(3) Slide differential case toward the pinion gear
until the gears make contact/zero backlash. If zero
REAR AXLE - 10 1/2 AA
Fig. 7 ADJUSTER LOCK BOLT
1 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
2 - ADJUSTER LOCK
3 - ADJUSTER LOCK BOLT
4 - BEARING CAP BOLT
backlash cannot be obtained, turn the pinion side
adjuster until zero backlash is obtained.
(4) Holding the differential case toward the pinion
gear, turn bearing adjusters with Spanner Wrench
8883 (Fig. 8) until they make contact with the differ-
ential bearings/cups.
Fig. 8 ADJUSTER SPANNER WRENCH
1 - WRENCH
2 - DIFFERENTIAL
(5) Back off the ring gear side adjuster 4 holes, to
obtain initial ring gear backlash.
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