Dodge dakota 2002 Service Manual page 151

3 - 78 REAR AXLE - 9 1/4
REAR AXLE - 9 1/4 (Continued)
• Ring gear too close to pinion gear (Fig. 11).
Increase backlash, by moving the ring away from the
pinion gear using the adjusters.
Fig. 11 INCORRECT BACKLASH
1 - DRIVE SIDE TOE
2 - COAST SIDE HEEL
• Ring gear too far away from pinion gear (Fig.
12). Decrease backlash, by moving the ring closer to
the pinion gear using the adjusters.
Fig. 12 INCORRECT BACKLASH
1 - DRIVE SIDE HEEL
2 - COAST SIDE HEEL
• Ring gear too close to pinion gear (Fig. 13).
Increase backlash, by moving the ring away from the
pinion gear using the adjusters.
• Pinion gear set too low (Fig. 14). Increase pinion
gear height, by increasing the pinion depth shim
thickness.
• Pinion gear set too high (Fig. 15). Decrease pin-
ion depth, by decreasing the pinion depth shim thick-
ness.
SIDE GEAR CLEARANCE
When measuring side gear clearance, check each
gear independently. If it necessary to replace a side
gear, replace both gears as a matched set.
(1) Install the axle shafts and C-locks and pinion
mate shaft.
Fig. 13 INCORRECT BACKLASH
1 - DRIVE SIDE TOE
2 - COAST SIDE TOE
Fig. 14 LOW PINION HEIGHT
Fig. 15 HIGH PINION HEIGHT
(2) Measure each side gear clearance. Insert a
matched pair of feeler gauge blades between the gear
and differential housing on opposite sides of the hub
(Fig. 16).
(3) If side gear clearances is no more than 0.005
inch. Determine if the axle shaft is contacting the
pinion mate shaft. Do not remove the feeler
gauges, inspect the axle shaft with the feeler
gauge inserted behind the side gear. If the end of
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