9 1/2 Inch Ring Gear

Fig. 10 Side Bearing Preload Adjustment:

1. Lubricate side bearings, place outer races over bearings, then install differential assembly into housing.
2. Insert spacer/shim packs removed during disassembly between respective bearing race and housing or threaded adjuster.
3. Push case away from adjuster, then tighten adjuster, Fig. 10, while rotating pinion and supporting case to seat bearings.
4. Back off adjuster and loosely install bearing caps.
5. Tighten adjuster against side bearing until no clearance exists, then tighten adjuster 3 additional notches to set preload.
6. Torque bearing cap bolts to 70 ft. lbs., install adjuster locks and tighten lock bolt hand tight. At this point, differential bearing preload is properly adjusted. If any further adjustments are required, ensure that proper preload remains established.

Fig. 11 Ring gear & pinion backlash measurement:

Fig. 10 Gear Tooth Contact Inspection:

7. Mount suitable dial indicator on housing with plunger contact bearing against heel of ring gear tooth and plunger parallel to gear, Fig. 11.
8. Hold pinion and rock ring gear back and forth, observing backlash on dial indicator.
9. If backlash is not within specifications, adjust as follows:
a. If backlash is excessive, replace shim on ring gear tooth side with one of less thickness while increasing thickness of opposite shim by an equal amount.
b. If backlash is less than specified, increase thickness of shim on ring gear tooth side while reducing opposite shim by an equal amount.
10. After adjusting backlash, ensure that preload is properly established, then tighten adjuster lock bolt.
11. Ensure that ring gear teeth are clean and free from oil, then coat drive and coat face of each tooth with suitable marking compound.
12. Apply braking force to ring gear, then turn pinion to rotate ring gear one revolution in each direction. Accurate contact pattern cannot be obtained unless gears are ``loaded'' when rotated.
13. Examine gear tooth contact pattern, referring to Fig. 12, and correct assembly adjustments as needed.
14. When proper gear tooth contact pattern has been established, install axle shafts as outlined in service section, then torque pinion shaft lock screw to 20 ft. lbs.
15. Install rear cover and new gasket and fill axle with specified lubricant.