Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual page 160

BR/BE
REAR AXLE - 9 1/4 (Continued)
Fig. 12 Threaded Adjuster Tool
1 - AXLE TUBE
2 - BACKING PLATE
3 - THREAD ADJUSTER WRENCH
measurements will be taken with the same gear
teeth meshed.
Fig. 13 Ring Gear Backlash
1 - DIAL INDICATOR
2 - RING GEAR
3 - EXCITER RING
(4) Loosen the right-side, tighten the left-side
threaded adjuster. Obtain backlash of 0.003 to 0.004
inch (0.076 to 0.102 mm) with each adjuster tight-
ened to 14 N·m (10 ft. lbs.). Seat the bearing cups
with the procedure described above.
(5) Tighten the differential bearing cap bolts 136
N·m (100 ft. lbs.).
(6) Tighten the right-side threaded adjuster to 102
N·m (75 ft. lbs.). Seat the bearing cups with the pro-
cedure described above. Continue to tighten the
right-side adjuster and seat bearing cups until the
torque remains constant at 102 N·m (75 ft. lbs.)
(7) Measure the ring gear backlash. The range of
backlash is 0.13 to 0.203 mm (0.005 to 0.008 inch).
(8) Continue increasing the torque at the right-
side threaded adjuster until the specified backlash is
obtained.
NOTE: The left-side
should have approximately 102 N·m (75 ft. lbs.). If
the torque is considerably less, the complete
adjustment procedure must be repeated.
(9) Tighten the left-side threaded adjuster until
102 N·m (75 ft. lbs.) torque is indicated. Seat the
bearing rollers with the procedure described above.
Do this until the torque remains constant.
(10) Install the threaded
tighten the lock screws to 10 N·m (90 in. lbs.).
After the proper backlash is achieved, perform the
Gear Contact procedure.
GEAR CONTACT PATTERN
The ring gear and pinion teeth contact patterns
will show if the pinion depth is correct in the hous-
ing. It will also show if the ring gear backlash has
been adjusted correctly. The backlash can be adjusted
within specifications to achieve desired tooth contact
patterns.
(1) Apply a thin coat of hydrated ferric oxide or
equivalent to the drive and coast side of the ring gear
teeth.
(2) Wrap, twist, and hold a shop towel around the
pinion yoke to increase the turning resistance of the
pinion. This will provide a more distinct contact pat-
tern.
(3) With a boxed end wrench on a ring gear bolt,
rotate the differential case one complete revolution in
both directions while a load is being applied from
shop towel.
The areas on the ring gear teeth with the greatest
degree of contact against the pinion teeth will squee-
gee the compound to the areas with the least amount
of contact. Note and compare patterns on the ring
gear teeth to Gear Tooth Contact Patterns chart (Fig.
14)and adjust pinion depth and gear backlash as nec-
essary.
SIDE GEAR CLEARANCE
When measuring side gear clearance, check each
gear independently. If it necessary to replace a side
gear, replace both gears as a matched set.
(1) Install the axle shafts and C-locks and pinion
shaft.
(2) Measure each side gear clearance. Insert a
matched pair of feeler gauge blades between the gear
REAR AXLE - 9 1/4
threaded adjuster
adjuster locks
3 - 87
torque
and