Gear Tooth Contact Pattern

Fig 1: Gear Tooth Contact Pattern

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The gear and pinion gear tooth contact patterns will show if the ring gear backlash has been adjusted correctly.

Ring and pinion gear tooth description:

• Toe - (1)
• Land - (2)
• Drive Side - (3)
• Root - (4)
• Heel - (5)
• Coast Side - (6)

Paint six ring gear teeth 180 degrees apart with marking compound. Rotate the pinion 4 full revolutions in each directions to obtain a contact pattern.

Fig 2: Identifying Correct Gear Tooth Pattern

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Gear contact pattern correct. Backlash and pinion depth is correct.

Fig 3: Identifying Incorrect Backlash (1 Of 4)

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Ring gear too far away from pinion gear, coast side toe (1) and drive side heel (2). Decrease backlash, by moving the ring closer to the pinion gear.

Fig 4: Identifying Incorrect Backlash (2 Of 4)

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Ring gear too close to pinion gear, drive side toe (1) and coast side heel (2). Increase backlash, by moving the ring away from the pinion gear.

Fig 5: Identifying Incorrect Backlash (3 Of 4)

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Ring gear too far away from pinion gear, drive side heel (1) and coast side heel (2). Decrease backlash, by moving the ring closer to the pinion gear.

Fig 6: Identifying Incorrect Backlash (4 Of 4)

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Ring gear too close to pinion gear, drive side toe (1) and coast side toe (2). Increase backlash, by moving the ring away from the pinion gear.

Fig 7: Low Pinion Height

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Pinion gear is set too low. Increase pinion gear height, by increasing the pinion depth shim thickness.

Fig 8: High Pinion Height

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Pinion gear is set too high. Decrease pinion depth, by decreasing the pinion depth shim thickness.