Chevrolet 1991 Light Duty Truck Repair Manual page 158

4B4-8 10 1/2-INCH RING GEAR
Tighten
• The ring gear bolts alternately in stages gradu­
ally pulling the ring gear onto the differential
case.
• The ring gear bolts in sequence to 163 N.m
(120 ft. lbs.).
7. Differential side bearings (18) using J 24429 and
J 8092 (figure 17).
• Place J 8107 into the differential on the side
opposite of bearing installation to protect the
differential case.
• Drive the bearing onto the case using J 24429
and J 8092.
8. Differential case (34) to the axle housing. Refer to
"Side Bearing Preload Adjustment" in this section.
SIDE BEARING PRELOAD ADJUSTMENT
• The differential side bearing preload is adjusted by
two adjusting nuts in the differential bearing bore.
The bore and the bearing cap provide the mating
threads for the bearing nut.
• The differential must be initially preloaded in order
to determine the backlash of the gear set. After the
backlash has been set, the final bearing preload is
set.
Install or Connect (Figure 18)
Tool Required:
J 24429 Side Bearing Backlash Spanner
Wrench
1. The bearing cups (20) to the differential bearings
in their original locations.
2. Differential assembly to the axle housing.
3. Adjusting nuts (19).
4. Bearing caps (20) and bolts (28) in their original
positions.
• Assembly the caps loosely.
• Loosen the right side adjusting nut, and tighten the
left side nut using J 24429 until the ring gear con­
tacts the drive pinion. Do not force the gears into
contact. This is the zero lash point.
• Back off the left adjusting nut approximately two
slots to obtain the initial backlash adjustment.
5. Adjusting nut lock (21) and lock bolt (22) to the left
nut.
• Do not tighten.
• Tighten the right adjusting nut firmly to force the
case into solid contact with the left adjusting nut.
Rotate the pinion several times to seat the bear­
ings.
• Loosen the right adjusting nut until it is free from
its bearing.
• Tighten the right adjusting nut until it just contacts
the bearing. Additionally tighten the nut two slots
for used bearings, or three slots if new bearings
are installed.
6. Adjusting nut lock (21) and lock bolt (22) to the left
nut.
• Do not tighten.
• The bearing cap bolts (28) to 183 N.m (135 ft.
lbs.).
Measure the ring gear to pinion backlash. Refer to
" Backlash Adjustment" in this section.