Pinion Depth Measurement
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.
Ring and pinion gears are supplied as matched sets. Compensation for pinion depth variance is achieved with a select shim located between the rear pinion bearing and pinion gear head.
Measurements are taken with pinion bearing cups and pinion bearings installed in the housing. Take measurements with Pinion Gauge Set and Dial Indicator (special tool #C-3339A, Set, Dial Indicator).
- Assemble Pinion Height Block (special tool #6739, Block, Height) (3), Pinion Block (special tool #8878, Gauge, Pinion Height) (6) and rear pinion bearing onto Screw (special tool #6741, Screw) (5).
- Insert assembled pinion height block (1), pinion block (2), rear bearing and screw into the housing through pinion bearing cups.
- Install front pinion bearing and Cone-Nut (special tool #6740, Cone) onto the screw. Tighten cone-nut until Torque To Rotate the screw is 1.7 - 3.38 N.m (15 - 30 in. lbs.).
- Place Arbor Disc (special tool #8289, Set, Arbor Disc) (4) on Arbor (special tool #D-115-3, Arbor) (3) in position in the housing side bearing cradles.
- Install differential bearing caps on arbor discs and snug the bearing cap bolts. Then cross tighten cap bolts to 85 N.m (63 ft. lbs.).NOTE:
Arbor (3) should rotate freely in the arbor disc (4).
- Assemble Dial Indicator (special tool #C-3339A, Set, Dial Indicator) (1) into Scooter Block (special tool #D-115-2A, Block, Scooter) (3) and secure set screw.
- Position Scooter Block/Dial Indicator flush on the pinion height block. Hold scooter block and zero the dial indicator (1).
- Slowly slide the scooter block across the pinion height block over to the arbor. Move scooter block till dial indicator crests the arbor (2), then record the highest reading.
- Select a shim equal to the dial indicator reading.
- Install select shim between rear pinion bearing and the pinion gear head.
- Install pinion gear and establish Pinion Torque To Rotate (PTTR) with and inch pound torque wrench (2).