Differential Side Bearing Preload Adjustment

Differential Side Bearing Preload Adjustment

^ Tools Required
- J 44855 Side Bearing Installer
- J 44856 Pinion Depth Shim Selector
- J 44868 Housing Spreader
- J 45923 Alignment Pins





Important: The ring gear must be removed to perform this measurement.

1. Install J 44856-5 on the differential carrier.





Important: Master bearings must seat properly in the bearing bores. Improper seating could cause a wrong measurement.

2. Rotate the housing so the carrier side is up.
3. Install the differential carrier and the master bearings in the bores of the housing. Slide the carrier back and forth to seat the master bearings.





4. Install J 44856-6 into the M10 bolt hole.
5. Install the dial indicator on the J 44856-6.
6. Slide the carrier away from the dial indicator until the carrier hits the master bearing and zero the indicator.
7. Slide the carrier toward the dial indicator and record this measurement as dimension (A) - total travel.





Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

Important: Install the new bolts during the ring gear assembly. The bolts will have the new Permatex threadlocker on the threads.

8. Install J 45923 into the ring gear (2). Place the differential case (1) over the alignment pins.





9. Place the differential case into a press. Use J 44855 (1) to press the ring gear on and remove the alignment pins (2).





10. Install the ring gear bolts in a crisscross pattern and tighten.
^ Tighten the ring gear bolts to 52 Nm (38 ft. lbs.).





Important: The ring gear must be installed to record this measurement.

Important: Master bearings J 44856-5 must seat properly in the bearing bores. Improper seating could cause a wrong measurement.

11. Install the dial indicator on the J 44856-6.
12. Slide the carrier away from the dial indicator. Ensure the ring gear teeth contact to the pinion gear teeth is at zero lash. Zero out the indicator.
13. Slide the carrier away from the pinion gear. Record this measurement as dimension (B).
14. The (B) dimension is the nominal value of the gear side.
15. Subtract 0.006 in from the nominal value (B). This is the gear side shim size.
16. Subtract nominal value (B) from (A). This is the nominal value (C) for the right side.
17. Add 0.008 in to the right side nominal value (C). This is the right side shim size.

Measurement (A) from step 7 is 0.500. Measurement (B) from step 13 with gear on was 0.250 - 0.006 = 0.244. This is the gear side shim thickness. Subtract (B) 0.250 from (A) 0.500 = 0.250 + 0.008 = 0.258. This is the right side shim thickness.





Important: The differential bearings and the bearing races are matched sets. Replace both the bearing and the races when either part requires placement.

18. Use the J 44855 (1). Into the bearing (2), place the differential carrier (3) in a press and install the bearing until it seats.
19. Turn the carrier over. Using the same process, install the right side bearing until it seats.





Notice: Do not overspread the component. Spread the component only enough to allow the component to fit. Overspreading may damage the component.

20. Install a dial indicator in the differential bore. Measure at the top of the bearing bore. Preload the dial indicator and zero it out so that the maximum spread can be read.
21. The maximum housing spread is 0.30 - 0.40 mm (0.012 - 0.016 inch).





22. Install J 44868 with the short dowels in the M10 bolt holes.
23. Spread the housing by turning the forcing screws. Watch the dial indicator reading, do not over-spread the housing.
24. After the housing is spread, remove the dial indicator from under the J 44868.





25. Install the differential carrier assembly into the housing with 2 bearing cups and 1 of the side shims.





Important: Do not pry on the housing and do not force or drive the shims into place.

26. Use a screwdriver to slide the races into the bores and place the other side shim into place.
27. Remove the J 44868.