Inspection and Diagnosis

A close examination of the rear axle prior to disassembly will often reveal valuable information as to the type and extent of repairs or adjustments necessary. This information and the report of the malfunction provides a basis for determining the degree of tear down required. Frequent causes of rear axle noise are improper backlash, differential drive pinion gear inner or outer bearing preload, differential side bearing preload, or a combination of these items. A few simple adjustments may be all that are necessary to correct the problem.

Before removing the differential case from the housing, these items should be checked and the results recorded and analyzed: (1) backlash; (2) total differential preload; and (3) tooth contact pattern.

Use care at all times to keep dirt and other foreign matter, such as grinder dust, soot, or sand, away from the rear axle to prevent the possibility of subsequent failure.