Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual page 223

3 - 150 REAR AXLE - 267RBI
REAR AXLE - 267RBI (Continued)
(20) Push and hold differential case to ring gear
side of the housing and record dial indicator reading
(Fig. 18).
Fig. 18 Differential Case To Ring Gear Side
1 - DIAL INDICATOR
2 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE TO RING GEAR SIDE
3 - PINION GEAR
4 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
5 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
(21) This is the shim thickness needed on the ring
gear side of the differential case for proper backlash.
(22) Subtract the backlash shim thickness from
the total preload shim thickness. The remainder is
the shim thickness required on the pinion side of the
housing.
(23) Rotate dial indicator out of the way on pilot
stud.
(24) Remove differential case and dummy bearings
from the housing.
(25) Install the selected side bearing shims onto
the differential case hubs.
(26) Install side bearings on differential case hubs
with Install C-4487-1 and Handle C-4171.
(27) Install bearing cups on differential.
(28) Install Spreader W-129-B and some items
from Adapter Set 6987 on the housing and spread
open enough to receive differential case.
CAUTION: Do not spread housing over 0.50 mm
(0.020 in.). The housing can be damaged if over-
spread.
(29) Install differential case into the housing.
(30) Remove spreader from the housing.
(31) Rotate the differential case several times to
seat the side bearings.
(32) Position the indicator plunger against a ring
gear tooth (Fig. 19).
(33) Push and hold ring gear upward while not
allowing the pinion gear to rotate.
(34) Zero dial indicator face to pointer.
(35) Push and hold ring gear downward while not
allowing the pinion gear to rotate. Dial indicator
reading should be between 0.12 mm (0.005 in.) and
0.20 mm (0.008 in.). If backlash is not within specifi-
cations transfer the necessary amount of shim thick-
ness from one side of the housing to the other (Fig.
20).
(36) Verify differential case and ring gear runout
by measuring ring to pinion gear backlash at eight
locations around the ring gear. Readings should not
vary more than 0.05 mm (0.002 in.). If readings vary
more than specified, the ring gear or the differential
case is defective.
After the proper backlash is achieved, perform
Gear Contact Pattern Analysis procedure.
Fig. 19 Ring Gear Backlash Measurement
1 - DIAL INDICATOR
BR/BE