REAR DIFFERENTIAL CONSTRUCTION

id031400129600

•  The rear differential has the following features:
―  Integral-type housing hypoid gear design has the centerline of the pinion set below the centerline of the ring gear.
―  Hypoid ring gear and pinion consists of a ring gear and an overhung drive pinion which is supported by two opposed tapered roller bearings.
―  Pinion bearing preload is maintained by a drive pinion collapsible spacer on the pinion shaft and adjusted by the pinion nut.
―  Rear axle housing component consists of a cast aluminum center section and a stamped-steel rear differential housing cover.
―  Differential housing cover that uses a silicone sealant rather than a gasket.
―  Aluminum rear axle housing must be spread in order to remove the differential case.
―  Differential case is a one-piece design. It has two openings to allow for assembly of internal components and lubricant flow.
―  Differential pinion shaft is retained by a threaded differential pinion shaft lock bolt assembled to the differential case.
―  Differential case is mounted in the rear axle housing between two opposed differential bearings.
―  Differential bearings are retained in the rear axle housing by removable bearing caps.
•  Differential bearing preload and ring gear backlash are adjusted by differential bearing shims located between the differential bearing cup and the rear axle housing.
•  The use of a pinion depth gauge is required for correct differential ring gear and pinion adjustment.
•  The drive shafts are held in the differential case by a drive shaft bearing retainer circlip. When each drive shaft is installed, the drive shaft bearing retainer circlip engages a step in the differential side gear.
•  The rear drive axle operates as follows:
―  The rear axle drive pinion receives power from the engine through the transmission, transfer case, drive shaft and rotary blade coupling (when engaged).
―  The pinion gear rotates the differential case, which is bolted to the differential case outer flange.
―  Inside the differential case, two differential pinion gears are mounted on a differential pinion shaft which is pinned to the differential case.
―  These differential pinion gears are engaged with the differential side gears to which the drive shafts are splined.
―  As the differential case turns, it rotates the drive shafts and rear wheels.
―  When it is necessary for one wheel and drive shaft to rotate faster than the other, the faster turning differential side gear causes the differential pinion gears to roll on the slower turning differential side gear. This allows differential action between the two drive shafts.
•  The rotary blade coupling cannot be disassembled. Replace it as a component.