Dodge dakota 2002 Service Manual page 98

DR
FRONT AXLE - C205F (Continued)
Fig. 10 PINION GEAR DEPTH MEASUREMENT
1 - ARBOR
2 - SCOOTER BLOCK
3 - DIAL INDICATOR
(9) Remove the pinion depth gauge components
from the housing
DIFFERENTIAL BEARING PRELOAD AND GEAR
BACKLASH
Differential side bearing preload and gear backlash
is achieved by selective shims inserted between the
bearing cup and the housing. The proper shim thick-
ness can be determined using slip-fit Dummy Bear-
ings 8398 in place of the differential side bearings
and a Dial Indicator C-3339. Before proceeding with
the differential bearing preload and gear backlash
measurements, measure the pinion gear depth and
prepare the pinion for installation. Establishing
proper pinion gear depth is essential to establishing
gear backlash and tooth contact patterns. After the
overall shim thickness to take up differential side
play is measured, the pinion is installed, and the
gear backlash shim thickness is measured. The over-
all shim thickness is the total of the dial indicator
reading, starting point shim thicknesses, and the
preload specification added together. The gear back-
lash measurement determines the thickness of the
shim used on the ring gear side of the differential
case. Subtract the gear backlash shim thickness from
the total overall shim thickness and select that
amount for the pinion side of the differential (Fig.
11).
SHIM SELECTION
NOTE: It is difficult to salvage the differential side
bearings during the removal procedure. Install
replacement bearings if necessary.
(1) Remove side bearings from differential case.
FRONT AXLE - C205F
Fig. 11 ADJUSTMENT SHIM
1 - PINION GEAR DEPTH SHIM
2 - DIFFERENTIAL BEARING PRELOAD SHIM
3 - RING GEAR
4 - DIFFERENTIAL BEARING PRELOAD SHIM
5 - COLLAPSIBLE SPACER
(2) Install ring gear if necessary, on differential
case and tighten bolts to specification.
(3) Install Dummy Bearings 8398 on differential
case.
(4) Install differential case in the housing.
(5) Insert Dummy Shims 8107 3.0 mm (0.118 in.)
starting point shims between both dummy bearings
and the housing (Fig. 12).
Fig. 12 DUMMY SHIM
1 - DUMMY SHIM
2 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
3 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
4 - DUMMY BEARINGS
3 - 25