Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual page 159

3 - 86 REAR AXLE - 9 1/4
REAR AXLE - 9 1/4 (Continued)
Fig. 10 Pinion Depth Tools
1 - ARBOR DISC
2 - PINION BLOCK
3 - ARBOR
4 - PINION HEIGHT BLOCK
(5) Assemble Dial Indicator C-3339 into Scooter
Block D-115-2 and secure set screw.
(6) Place Scooter Block/Dial Indicator in position
in axle housing so dial probe and scooter block are
flush against the rearward surface of the pinion
height block (Fig. 8). Hold scooter block in place and
zero the dial indicator. Tighten dial indicator face
lock screw.
(7) Slowly slide the dial indicator probe over the
edge of the pinion height block.
(8) Slide the dial indicator probe across the gap
between the pinion height block and the arbor bar
with the scooter block against the pinion height block
(Fig. 11). When the dial probe contacts the arbor bar,
the dial pointer will turn clockwise. Continue moving
the dial probe to the crest of the arbor bar and record
the highest reading. If the dial indicator can not
achieve the zero reading, the rear bearing cup or the
pinion depth gauge set is not installed correctly.
(9) Select a shim equal to the dial indicator read-
ing plus the drive pinion gear depth variance number
marked on the shaft of the pinion. For example, if
the depth variance is –2, add +0.002 in. to the dial
indicator reading.
DIFFERENTIAL BEARING PRELOAD AND GEAR
BACKLASH
The following must be considered when adjusting
bearing preload and gear backlash:
• The maximum ring gear backlash variation is
0.003 inch (0.076 mm).
• Mark the gears so the same teeth are meshed
during all backlash measurements.
Fig. 11 Pinion Gear Depth Measurement
1 - ARBOR
2 - SCOOTER BLOCK
3 - DIAL INDICATOR
• Maintain the torque while adjusting the bearing
preload and ring gear backlash.
• Excessive adjuster torque will introduce a high
bearing load and cause premature bearing failure.
Insufficient adjuster torque can result in excessive
differential case free-play and ring gear noise.
• Insufficient adjuster torque will not support the
ring gear correctly and can cause excessive differen-
tial case free-play and ring gear noise.
NOTE: The differential bearing cups will not always
immediately follow the threaded adjusters as they
are moved during adjustment. To ensure accurate
bearing cup responses to the adjustments:
• Maintain the gear teeth engaged (meshed) as
marked.
• The bearings must be seated by rapidly rotating
the drive pinion gear a half turn back and forth.
• Do this five to ten times each time the threaded
adjusters are adjusted.
(1) Use Wrench C-4164 to adjust each threaded
adjuster inward until the differential bearing free-
play is eliminated (Fig. 12). Allow some ring gear
backlash (approximately 0.25 mm / 0.01 inch)
between the ring and pinion gear. Seat the bearing
cups with the procedure described above.
(2) Install dial indicator and position the plunger
against the drive side of a ring gear tooth (Fig. 13).
Measure the backlash at 4 positions (90 degrees
apart) around the ring gear. Locate and mark the
area of minimum backlash.
(3) Rotate the ring gear to the position of the least
backlash. Mark the gear so that all future backlash
BR/BE