Dodge dakota 2002 Service Manual page 195

3 - 122 REAR AXLE - 10 1/2 AA
PINION GEAR/RING GEAR/
TONE RING
REMOVAL
NOTE: The ring and pinion gears are service in a
matched set. Never replace the ring gear/pinion
gear without replacing the other matching gear.
(1) Mark pinion flange and propeller shaft for
installation alignment.
(2) Disconnect propeller shaft from pinion flange
and remove propeller shaft.
(3) Remove differential from axle housing.
(4) Place differential on Plug 8888 and drive
exciter ring off the differential case with a hammer
and punch (Fig. 49).
NOTE: Do not remove the exciter ring if it is not
being replaced.
Fig. 49 EXCITER RING
1 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
2 - RING GEAR
3 - PUNCH
4 - EXCITER RING
(5) Place differential case in a vise with soft metal
jaw protectors
(6) Remove bolts holding ring gear to differential
case.
(7) Drive ring gear from differential case with a
soft hammer (Fig. 50).
Fig. 50 RING GEAR
1 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
2 - RING GEAR
3 - HAMMER
(8) Hold pinion flange with Flange Wrench 8979
(Fig. 51) and remove pinion flnage nut and washer.
Fig. 51 FLANGE WRENCH
1 - PINION FLANGE
2 - FLANGE WRENCH
(9) Remove pinion flange from the pinion with Pin-
ion Flange Puller 8992 (Fig. 52).
(10) Remove pinion gear from housing, with Pinion
Driver 8977 (Fig. 53) and a hammer.
DR