Dodge 2000 DURANGO Service Manual page 103

DN
ADJUSTMENTS (Continued)
(27) Rotate dial indicator out of the way on guide
stud.
(28) Remove differential case, dummy bearings,
and dummy shim from axle housing.
(29) Install new side bearing cones and cups on
differential case.
(30) Install spreader W-129-B, utilizing Adapter
Plates 8142-A, on axle housing and spread axle open-
ing enough to receive differential case.
(31) Place the side bearing shims in the axle hous-
ing against the axle housing shoulder.
(32) Install the differential case in the axle hous-
ing.
(33) Rotate the differential case several times to
seat the side bearings.
(34) Position the indicator plunger against a ring
gear tooth (Fig. 49).
(35) Push and hold ring gear upward while not
allowing the pinion gear to rotate.
(36) Zero dial indicator face to pointer.
(37) 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 differential housing to the
other (Fig. 50).
(38) 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 the
Gear Contact Pattern Analysis procedure.
Fig. 49 Ring Gear Backlash Measurement
1 – DIAL INDICATOR
Fig. 50 Backlash Shim Adjustment
GEAR CONTACT PATTERN ANALYSIS
The ring gear and pinion teeth contact patterns
will show if the pinion depth is correct in the axle
housing. It will also show if the ring gear backlash
has been adjusted correctly. The backlash can be
adjusted within specifications to achieve desired
tooth contact patterns.
(1) Apply a thin coat of hydrated ferric oxide, or
equivalent, to the drive and coast side of the ring
gear teeth.
(2) Wrap, twist, and hold a shop towel around the
pinion yoke to increase the turning resistance of the
pinion. This will provide a more distinct contact pat-
tern.
(3) Using a boxed end wrench on a ring gear bolt,
Rotate the differential case one complete revolution
in both directions while a load is being applied from
shop towel.
The areas on the ring gear teeth with the greatest
degree of contact against the pinion teeth will squee-
gee the compound to the areas with the least amount
of contact. Note and compare patterns on the ring
gear teeth to Gear Tooth Contact Patterns chart (Fig.
51) and adjust pinion depth and gear backlash as
necessary.
C205F AXLE 3 - 53