Dodge dakota 2002 Service Manual page 147

3 - 74 REAR AXLE - 9 1/4
REAR AXLE - 9 1/4 (Continued)
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Position a lifting device under the axle.
(3) Secure axle to device.
(4) Remove wheels and tires assemblies.
(5) Remove RWAL sensor from the differential
housing.
(6) Remove brake hose at the axle junction block.
(7) Disconnect parking brake cables and cable
brackets.
(8) Remove brake calipers and rotors.
(9) Remove axle vent hose.
(10) Mark propeller shaft and companion flange
for installation alignment reference.
(11) Remove propeller shaft.
(12) Remove shock absorbers from axle.
(13) Remove U-bolets from axle.
(14) Separate the axle from the vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Raise axle with lifting device and align to the
leaf spring centering bolts.
(2) Install axle U-bolts and tighten to 149 N·m
(110 ft. lbs.).
(3) Install shock absorbers to axle and tighten to
specification.
(4) Install the RWAL sensor to the differential
housing.
(5) Connect the parking brake cables and cable
brackets.
(6) Install brake rotors and calipers.
(7) Connect brake hose to the axle junction block.
(8) Install axle vent hose.
(9) Align propeller shaft and pinion companion
flange reference marks and tighten companion flange
bolts to 115 N·m (85 ft. lbs.).
(10) Install the wheels and tires.
(11) Fill differential to specifications.
(12) Remove lifting device from axle and lower the
vehicle.
ADJUSTMENTS
Ring gear and pinion are supplied as matched sets
only. The identifying numbers for the ring gear and
pinion are painted onto the pinion gear shaft (Fig. 2)
and the side of the ring gear. A plus (+) number,
minus (–) number or zero (0) along with the gear set
sequence number (01 to 99) is on each gear. This first
number is the amount (in thousandths of an inch)
the depth varies from the standard depth setting of a
pinion marked with a (0). The next two numbers are
the sequence number of the gear set. The standard
depth provides the best teeth contact pattern. Refer
to Backlash and Contact Pattern for additional infor-
mation.
Fig. 2 PINION ID NUMBER
1 - VARIANCE NUMBER
2 - SEQUENCE NUMBER
Compensation for
achieved with select shims. The shims are placed
behind the rear pinion bearing. (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3 ADJUSTMENT SHIM LOCATIONS
1 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
2 - COLLAPSIBLE SPACER
3 - PINION BEARING
4 - PINION DEPTH SHIM
5 - PINION GEAR
6 - BEARING CUP
If a new gear set is being installed, note the depth
variance painted onto both the original and replace-
ment pinion. Add or subtract the thickness of the
original depth shims to compensate for the difference
in the depth variances. Refer to the Depth Variance
chart.
Note where Old and New Pinion Marking columns
intersect. Intersecting figure represents plus or
minus the amount needed.
Note the painted number on the shaft of the drive
pinion (–1, –2, 0, +1, +2, etc.). The numbers repre-
pinion depth variance
DR
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