Tooth Contact Pattern Check - Gearset, Except Dana S135
- To check the gear tooth contact, paint the gear teeth with the special marking compound. A mixture that is too wet will run and smear; a mixture that is too dry cannot be pressed out from between the teeth.
- Use a box wrench on the ring gear bolts as a lever to rotate the differential ring gear several complete revolutions in both directions or until a clear tooth contact pattern is obtained.
- Certain types of gear tooth contact patterns on the differential ring gear indicate incorrect adjustment. Incorrect adjustment can be corrected by readjusting the differential ring gear or the pinion.