Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual page 252

BR/BE
REAR AXLE - 286RBI (Continued)
(21) Push and hold differential case to ring gear
side of the housing and record dial indicator reading
(Fig. 18).
Fig. 18 Differential Case and Dial Indicator
1 - DIAL INDICATOR
2 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE TO RING GEAR SIDE
3 - PINION GEAR
4 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
5 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
(22) This is the thickness shim required on the
ring gear side of the differential case to achieve
proper backlash.
(23) 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.
(24) Rotate dial indicator out of the way on pilot
stud.
(25) Remove differential case and dummy bearings
from the housing.
(26) Install side bearing shims on differential case
hubs.
(27) Install side bearings and cups on differential
case.
(28) Install spreader W-129-B on the housing and
spread housing enough to install differential case.
CAUTION: Do not spread over 0.50 mm (0.020 in). If
the housing is over-spread, it could be distorted or
damaged.
REAR AXLE - 286RBI
(29) Install differential case in 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 axle housing to the other
(Fig. 20).
(36) Verify differential case and ring gear runout
by measuring ring to pinion gear backlash at several
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
3 - 179