Setting Pinion Depth

1. Install drive pinion front and rear outer races. On rear differentials, use tool No. J-8092 with adapter No. J-24256 for front race and tool No. J-24252 for rear race, or equivalents. On front differentials, use tool No. J-29039 for front race and tool No. J-29038 for rear race, or equivalents.
2. Lubricate and install front and rear bearings to be used for final assembly into their respective races.
3. On rear differentials install gauging plate No. J-23597-7, preload stud and pilot No. J-23597-9, or equivalents, through front and rear bearings and tighten nut.
4. On front differentials install gauging plate No. J-23597-26, preload stud and pilot No. J-23597-27 through rear bearing and No. J-23597-21, or equivalents, through front bearing and tighten nut.
5. Rotate bearings to ensure proper seating, then torque locknut to 20 inch lbs. for new bearings, or 8-10 inch lbs. for used bearings.
6. Place discs No. J-23597-8 for rear differentials or No. J-23597-6 for front differentials onto arbor No. J-23497-1, or equivalents, then place tool into side bearing bores and install bearing caps snugly.

Fig. 12 Pinion Depth Inspection:

7. Install dial indicator on arbor post, then preload dial indicator one half turn and tighten indicator in this position, Fig. 12.
8. Position dial indicator plunger on gauge plate and slowly move it across gauge plate until highest reading is obtained. Zero dial indicator on highest reading of gauge plate, Fig. 12.

Fig. 19 Pinion depth code:

9. Carefully swing plunger off gauge plate and note reading on dial indicator. Recheck to verify reading. The reading on the dial is the correct dimension for the rear pinion depth shim on a nominal pinion. Check drive pinion head markings. The pinion depth code which is in the lowest position of the three numbers, Fig. 13. indicates a necessary change in pinion mounting distance. A plus number indicates the need for a greater mounting distance (achieved by decreasing shim thickness). A minus number indicates the need for a smaller mounting distance (achieved by increasing shim thickness). If no pinion depth code is stamped on the head, the pinion is nominal. In this case, proceed to step 10.

Fig. 14 Pinion Depth Chart:

Fig. 15 Pinion Depth Chart:

10. Using chart in Figs. 14 and 15, determine proper shim variation to compensate for plus or minus markings. Shims are available in sizes ranging from .086-101 inch for rear differentials or .059-.077 inch for front differentials. An indicator reading of .001 inch requires shims of .100 and .101 inch respectively.
11. Place shim on drive pinion, then install rear bearing using an arbor press and tool No. J-6133, or equivalent. Do not press on roller cage. Press on inner race only.