Dodge dakota 2002 Service Manual page 171

3 - 98 REAR AXLE - 9 1/4
PINION GEAR/RING GEAR/TONE RING (Continued)
(8) Install a new collapsible spacer on the pinion
shaft (Fig. 63).
Fig. 63 COLLAPSIBLE SPACER
1 - COLLAPSIBLE SPACER
2 - REAR PINION BEARING
3 - PINION DEPTH SHIM
(9) Lubricate rear pinion bearing and install pin-
ion gear into the housing.
(10) Install companion
C-3718 and Holder 6719.
(11) Install bolts into two of the threaded holes in
the companion flange 180° apart.
(12) Position Holder 6719 against the companion
flange and install a bolt and washer into one of the
remaining threaded holes. Tighten the bolts so the
Holder 6719 is held to the flange.
(13) Install companion flange washer and a new
nut on the pinion and tighten the nut until there is
zero bearing end-play.
(14) With a torque wrench tighten the nut to 285
N·m (210 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 64).
CAUTION: Never loosen pinion nut to decrease pin-
ion rotating torque and never exceed specified pre-
load torque. If preload torque or rotating torque is
exceeded a new collapsible spacer must be
installed.
(15) Slowly tighten the nut in 6.8 N·m (5 ft. lbs.)
increments until the desired rotating torque is
achieved. Measure pinion rotating torque frequently
to avoid over crushing the collapsible spacer.
flange with Installer
Fig. 64 PINION NUT
1 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
2 - HOLDER
3 - TORQUE WRENCH
(16) Check pinion rotating torque with an inch
pound torque wrench (Fig. 65). The pinion rotating
torque should be:
• Original Bearings: 1 to 3 N·m (10 to 20 in. lbs.).
• New Bearings: 2 to 5 N·m (15 to 35 in. lbs.).
Fig. 65 PINION ROTATION TORQUE
1 - COMPANION FLANGE
2 - TORQUE WRENCH
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