Dodge dakota 2002 Service Manual page 101

3 - 28 FRONT AXLE - C205F
FRONT AXLE - C205F (Continued)
(34) Zero dial indicator face to pointer.
(35) Push and hold ring gear downward while not
allowing the pinion gear to rotate. Dial indicator
reading should be between 0.12 mm (0.005 in.) and
0.20 mm (0.008 in.). If backlash is not within specifi-
cations transfer the necessary amount of shim thick-
ness from one side of the differential housing to the
other (Fig. 19).
(36) Verify differential case and ring gear runout
by measuring ring to pinion gear backlash at eight
locations around the ring gear. Readings should not
vary more than 0.05 mm (0.002 in.). If readings vary
more than specified, the ring gear or the differential
case is defective.
After the proper backlash is achieved, perform the
Gear Contact Pattern procedure.
Fig. 19 BACKLASH SHIM ADJUSTMENT
GEAR CONTACT PATTERN
Gear tooth contact pattern is used to verify the cor-
rect running position of the ring and pinion gears.
This will produce low noise and long gear life. Gears
which are not positioned properly may be noisy and
have shorten gear life.
(1) Wipe clean each tooth of the ring gear.
(2) Apply gear marking compound to all of the ring
gear teeth.
(3) Verify bearing cap bolts are torque specifica-
tion.
(4) Apply the brakes lightly to create at 14 N·m
(10 ft. lbs.) pinion rotating torque.
(5) Rotate the pinion/pinion yoke 4 full revolutions
in each directions.
(6) Read gear tooth contact pattern:
• Gear contact pattern correct (Fig. 20). Backlash
and pinion depth is correct.
Fig. 20 CORRECT CONTACT PATTERN
• Ring gear too far away from pinion gear (Fig.
21). Decrease backlash by moving the ring closer to
the pinion gear.
Fig. 21 INCORRECT BACKLASH
1 - COAST SIDE TOE
2 - DRIVE SIDE HEEL
• Ring gear too close to pinion gear (Fig. 22).
Increase backlash, by moving the ring away from the
pinion gear.
Fig. 22 INCORRECT BACKLASH
1 - DRIVE SIDE TOE
2 - COAST SIDE HEEL
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