Case Assembly, Differential: Installation
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2017 RAM 2500 HD. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Clean the housing cavity with a flushing oil, light engine oil or lint free cloth.NOTE:
Do not use water, steam, kerosene or gasoline for cleaning.
- Lubricate differential case bearing.
- Install differential case with bearings cups into the housing.NOTE:
A light coat of grease on the cups will hold them in place during installation.
- Install bearing caps (2) and bolts. Tighten the bearing cap (2) bolts finger-tight.NOTE:
Do not torque bearing cap and bolts at this time.
- Slide differential case toward the pinion gear until the gears make contact/zero backlash. If zero backlash cannot be obtained, turn the pinion side adjuster until zero backlash is obtained.
- Holding the differential case (2) toward the pinion gear, turn bearing adjusters with Adjuster Wrench (special tool #8883A, Wrench, Differential Adjusting) (1) until they make contact with the differential bearings/cups.
- Back off the ring gear side adjuster 4 holes, to obtain initial ring gear backlash.
- Install ring gear side adjuster lock and bolt. Do not tighten adjuster lock bolt at this time.
- Tighten pinion gear side adjuster firmly against the differential case bearing cup.
- Rotate the pinion several times to seat the differential bearings.
- Loosen pinion gear side adjuster until it is no longer in contact with the bearing cup.
- Tighten pinion gear side adjuster until it just makes contact with the bearing cup.
- Tighten pinion gear side adjuster an additional:
- New Bearings 6 Adjuster Holes
- Original Bearings 4 Adjuster Holes
- Install pinion gear side adjuster lock and bolt. Do not tighten adjuster lock bolt at this time.
- Tighten bearing cap bolts (4) to the proper torque specifications. Refer to SPECIFICATIONS .
- Tighten adjuster lock bolts (3) to the proper torque specifications. Refer to SPECIFICATIONS .
- Measure ring gear backlash and check gear tooth contact pattern. Refer to ADJUSTMENTS for procedure.
- Install axle shafts. Refer to SHAFT, AXLE, INSTALLATION .
- Install differential housing gasket and cover. Tighten cover bolts to the proper torque specifications. Refer to SPECIFICATIONS .
- Fill differential with lubricant to specifications. Refer to CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED FLUIDS, SPECIFICATIONS .
- Install fill plug and tighten to the proper torque specifications. Refer to SPECIFICATIONS .