Chrysler RAM TRUCK 2500 1994 Service Manual page 128

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REAi SUSPENSION AND AXLE 3 « 21
backlash (approximately 0.01 inch/0.25 mm) between
the ring and pinion gear. Seat the bearing cups with
the procedure described above.
Fig. 27 Threaded Adjuster Tool
(2) Install Dial Indicator (Fig. 28). Position the
plunger against the drive side of a ring gear tooth.
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
measurements will be taken with the same gear
teeth meshed.
Fig. 28 Ring Gear Backlash Measurement
(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.) torque. Seat the bearing
cups with the procedure described above.
(5) Tighten the differential bearing cap bolts to 136
N-m (100 ft. lbs.) torque.
(6) Use Wrench C-4164 to tighten the right-side
threaded adjuster to 102 N-m (75 ft. lbs.) torque. Seat
the bearing cups with the procedure 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 0.006 to 0.008 inch (0.15 to 0.203 mm).
Continue increasing the torque at the right-side
threaded adjuster until the specified backlash is ob­
tained.
The left-side threaded adjuster torque should
have approximately 102 N-m (75 ft. lbs.) torque.
If the torque is considerably less, the complete
adjustment procedure must be repeated.
(8) 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.
(9) Install the threaded adjuster locks . Ensure the
lock finger is engaged with the adjuster hole. Tighten
the lock screws to 10 N-m (90 in. lbs.) torque.
SIDE GEAR CLEARANCE MEASUREMENT AND
ADJUSTMENT
When measuring side gear clearance, check each
gear independently. I f i t necessary to replace a side
gear, replace both gears as a matched set.
(1) Install the axle shafts and C-clip locks and pin­
ion mate shaft. I f necessary, refer to the installation
located within this group.
(2) Measure each side gear clearance. Insert a
matched pair of feeler gauge blades between the gear
and differential housing on opposite sides of the hub
(Fig. 29).
Fig. 29 Side Gear Clearance Measurement
(3) I f side gear clearances is no more than 0.005
inch. Determine i f the shaft is contacting the pinion
gear mate shaft. Do not remove the feeler
gauges, inspect the axle shaft with the feeler
gauge inserted behind the side gear. I f the end of