Pinion Depth Adjustment

Pinion Depth Adjustment

Tools Required
^ J33838 Pinion Setting Gage
^ J29763 Static Timing Gage

Important: Make sure all of the tools, the pinion bearings, and the pinion bearing cups are clean before proceeding.

1. Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant.





2. Install the J33838-2 (1) and the bolt (2) to the outer pinion bearing.
3. Install the J33838-2 (1) and the bolt (2) with the outer pinion bearing into the differential carrier assembly case half.





4. Install the inner pinion bearing onto the J33838 as shown.





5. Install the J33838 (2) with the inner pinion bearing into the differential carrier assembly and the bolt (1).
6. While holding the J33838 stationary, install an inch-pound torque wrench on the bolt of the J33838 and tighten the bolt.
Tighten the bolt until a rotating torque of 1.7 - 3.4 Nm (15 - 30 inch lbs.) for new bearings or 1.0 - 2.3 Nm (10 - 20 inch lbs.) for used bearings is obtained.
7. Rotate the assembly several times in both directions in order to seat the pinion bearings.
8. Check the rotating torque of the assembly. If the torque is less than 1.7 Nm (15 inch lbs.) for new bearings or 1.0 Nm (10 inch lbs.) for used bearings, continue to tighten the bolt until a rotating torque of 1.7 - 3.4 Nm (15 - 30 inch lbs.) for new bearings or 1.0 - 2.3 Nm (10 - 20 inch lbs.) for used bearings is obtained.
9. Place the contact pad of the J33838 into the differential side bearing bore.





10. Install the J29763 to the J33838 by doing the following:
10.1. Install the collar and the lock nut onto the J33838.
Do not tighten the lock nut at this time.
10.2. Install the J29763 into the collar.
10.3. Place the stem of the J29763 onto the contact surface of the J33838.
10.4. With the stem of the J29763touching the contact surface of the J33838, push down on the J29763 until the needle of the J29763 has turned 3/4 of a turn clockwise.
10.5. Tighten the lock nut of the J29763 finger tight.
11. Rotate the J33838 back and forth until the needle of the J29763 indicates the lowest point in the differential side bearing bore.
12. At the lowest point of deflection, move the housing of the J29763 until the needle indicates ZERO.
13. Move the J33838 back and forth again to verify the ZERO setting. Adjust the housing of the J29763 as necessary to set the needle to ZERO.





14. After the ZERO setting is obtained and verified, grasp the J33838 by the flats and move the contact pad of the J33838 out of the differential side bearing bore.
15. The value indicated on the J29763 is the thickness of the shim needed in order to set the depth of the pinion.
16. Select the shim that indicates the proper thickness. Measure the shim with a micrometer in order to verify that the thickness is correct.
17. Remove the pinion depth setting tools.
18. Remove the pinion bearings from the pinion depth setting tools.
19. Assemble the differential carrier assembly.