Dodge dakota 2002 Service Manual page 100

DR
FRONT AXLE - C205F (Continued)
Fig. 16 ZERO DIAL INDICATOR
1 - PINION GEAR SIDE
2 - PILOT STUD
3 - DIAL INDICATOR
Fig. 17 RECORD DIAL INDICATOR
1 - DIAL INDICATOR
2 - HOUSING
3 - RING GEAR SIDE
(18) Position the dial indicator plunger on a flat
surface between the ring gear bolt heads (Fig. 15).
(19) Push and hold differential case toward pinion.
FRONT AXLE - C205F
(20) Zero dial indicator face to pointer.
(21) Push and hold differential case to ring gear
side of the housing.
(22) Record dial indicator reading.
(23) Subtract 0.05 mm (0.002 in.) from the dial
indicator reading to compensate for backlash between
ring and pinion gears. Add the resulting measure-
ment to the thickness of the single dummy shim.
This is the thickness of shim required to achieve
proper backlash.
(24) Subtract the backlash shim thickness from
the total preload shim thickness. The remainder is
the shim thickness required on the pinion side of the
housing.
(25) Rotate dial indicator out of the way on pilot
stud.
(26) Remove differential case, dummy bearings
and dummy shim from the housing.
(27) Install new side bearing cones and cups on
differential case.
(28) Install Spreader W-129-B and Adapter Plates
8142-A on the housing and spread open enough to
receive differential case.
CAUTION: Never spread over 0.50 mm (0.020 in). If
the housing is over-spread, it could be distorted or
damaged.
(29) Place the side bearing shims in the differen-
tial housing against the housing shoulder.
(30) Install the differential case in the housing.
(31) Rotate the differential case several times to
seat the side bearings.
(32) Position the dial indicator plunger against a
ring gear tooth (Fig. 18).
Fig. 18 RING GEAR BACKLASH
1 - RING GEAR
2 - DIAL INDICATOR
(33) Push and hold ring gear upward while not
allowing the pinion gear to rotate.
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