Disassembly; Assembly; Installation - Dodge dakota 2002 Service Manual

3 - 88 REAR AXLE - 9 1/4
DIFFERENTIAL (Continued)

DISASSEMBLY

(1) Remove pinion shaft lock screw (Fig. 32).
Fig. 32 SHAFT LOCK SCREW
1 - LOCK SCREW
2 - PINION SHAFT
(2) Remove pinion shaft.
(3) Rotate differential side gears and remove dif-
ferential pinions and thrust washers (Fig. 33).
Fig. 33 DIFFERENTIAL GEARS
1 - THRUST WASHER
2 - SIDE GEAR
3 - DIFFERENTIAL PINION
(4) Remove differential side gears and thrust
washers.

ASSEMBLY

(1) Install differential side gears and thrust wash-
ers.
(2) Install differential pinion and thrust washers.
(3) Install the pinion shaft.
(4) Align the hole in the pinion shaft with the hole
in the differential case and install the pinion shaft
lock screw.
(5) Lubricate all differential components with
hypoid gear lubricant.

INSTALLATION

(1) Apply a coating of hypoid gear lubricant to the
differential bearings, bearing cups, and threaded
adjusters. A dab of grease can be used to keep the
adjusters in position.
(2) Install differential assembly into the housing.
(3) Install differential bearing caps in their origi-
nal locations (Fig. 34).
Fig. 34 BEARING CAPS
1 - REFERENCE MARKS
2 - REFERENCE MARKS
3 - ADJUSTER LOCK
4 - BEARING CAP
(4) Install bearing cap bolts and tighten the upper
bolts to 14 N·m (10 ft. lbs.). Tighten the lower bolts
finger-tight until the bolt head is seated.
(5) Perform the differential bearing preload and
adjustment procedure.
NOTE: Be sure that all bearing cap bolts are tight-
ened to their final torque of 136 N·m (100 ft.lbs.)
before proceeding.
(6) Install axle shafts.
(7) Apply a 1/4 inch bead of red Mopar Silicone
Rubber Sealant or equivalent to the housing cover
(Fig. 35).
DR