Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual page 149

3 - 76 FRONT AXLE - 248FBI
PINION GEAR/RING GEAR (Continued)
(11) Install yoke washer and a new nut on the
pinion gear. Tighten the nut to 291 N·m (215 ft. lbs.)
minimum. Do not over–tighten. Maximum torque
is 380 N·m (280 ft. lbs.).
CAUTION: Never loosen pinion gear nut to decrease
pinion gear bearing preload torque and never
exceed specified preload torque. If preload torque
is exceeded a new collapsible spacer must be
installed.
(12) Use Yoke Holder 6719A to hold the yoke (Fig.
61) and tighten the nut in 6.8 N·m (5 ft. lbs.) until
the rotating torque is achieved. Measure the preload
torque frequently to avoid over-tightening the nut.
Fig. 61 Tightening Pinion Nut
1 - PINION FLANGE
2 - YOKE HOLDING
3 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
(13) Check bearing preload torque with an inch
pound torque wrench (Fig. 62). The torque necessary
to rotate the pinion gear should be:
• Original Bearings: 1 to 2 N·m (10 to 20 in. lbs.).
• New Bearings: 1.7 to 4 N·m (15 to 35 in. lbs.).
(14) Invert differential case in a vise and start two
ring gear bolts. This will provide case-to-ring gear
bolt hole alignment.
(15) Install new ring gear bolts and alternately
tighten to 176 N·m (130 ft. lbs.). (Fig. 63).
CAUTION: Do not reuse the bolts that held the ring
gear to the differential case. The bolts can fracture
causing extensive damage.
(16) Install differential in axle housing and verify
gear mesh and contact pattern. Refer to Adjustments
(Gear Contact Pattern).
(17) Install differential cover and fill with lubri-
cant.
Fig. 62 Pinion Rotating Torque
1 - PINION YOKE
2 - TORQUE WRENCH
Fig. 63 Ring Gear Bolt
1 - TORQUE WRENCH
2 - RING GEAR BOLT
3 - RING GEAR
4 - CASE
(18) Install propeller shaft with reference marks
aligned.
(19) Remove support and lower vehicle.
BR/BE