Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual page 180

BR/BE
PINION GEAR/RING GEAR/TONE RING (Continued)
(9) Install a new collapsible preload spacer on pin-
ion shaft and install the pinion into the housing (Fig.
56).
Fig. 56 Collapsible Preload Spacer
1 - COLLAPSIBLE SPACER
2 - SHOULDER
3 - PINION GEAR
4 - DEPTH SHIM
5 - REAR BEARING
(10) Install companion
C-3718 and Holder 6719.
(11) Install bolts into two of the threaded holes in
the companion flange 180° apart.
(12) Position Holder 6719 against the companion
flange and install a bolt and washer into one of the
remaining threaded holes. Tighten the bolts so the
Holder 6719 is held to the flange.
(13) Install the companion flange washer and a
new nut on the pinion and tighten the pinion nut
until there is zero bearing end-play.
(14) Tighten the nut to 285 N·m (210 ft. lbs.) (Fig.
57).
flange with Installer
REAR AXLE - 9 1/4
CAUTION: Never loosen pinion nut to decrease pin-
ion bearing rotating torque and never exceed spec-
ified preload torque. If preload torque or rotating
torque is exceeded a new collapsible spacer must
be installed.
Fig. 57 Pinion Nut
1 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
2 - HOLDER
3 - TORQUE WRENCH
(15) Slowly tighten the nut in 6.8 N·m (5 ft. lbs.)
increments until the desired rotating torque is
achieved. Measure the rotating torque frequently to
avoid over crushing the collapsible spacer (Fig. 58).
(16) Check bearing rotating torque with an inch
pound torque wrench (Fig. 58). The torque necessary
to rotate the pinion should be:
• Original Bearings: 1 to 3 N·m (10 to 20 in. lbs.).
• New Bearings: 2 to 5 N·m (15 to 35 in. lbs.).
(17) Position exciter ring on differential case.
(18) Using a brass drift, slowly and evenly tap the
exciter ring into position.
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