Ring Gear Backlash Adjustment

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment 

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY	205-220 Installer, Differential Shim TKIT-1985-FH
Dial Indicator

Adjustment 

1. 1.
   
   Remove the differential housing cover. Refer to: Differential Housing Cover .

1. 2.
   
   Install the dial indicator gauge with holding fixture, with the dial indicator at a 90 degree angle from the ring gear tooth. Use the General Equipment: Dial Indicator

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1. 3.
   
   Using the dial indicator check the ring gear backlash. Rotate the ring gear and carrier back and forth through the free play only. Refer to: Specifications . Use the General Equipment: Dial Indicator

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1. 4.
   
   If a backlash correction is to be made, remove the axle shafts. Refer to: Axle Shaft .

1. 5.
   
   
   • To correct for high or low backlash, increase the thickness of one differential bearing shim and decrease the thickness of the other differential bearing shim by the same amount.
   • If a zero backlash condition had occurred, add 0.50 mm (0.020 in) to the RH side shim and subtract 0.50 mm (0.020 in) from the LH side shim to allow a backlash indication. Recheck backlash.
   • Using the backlash chart, determine the thickness of differential shim needed: Refer to: Specifications .

1. 6.
   
   
   NOTE: The differential bearing caps and differential bearing cap bolts need to be installed in the same location as removed.

   With the dial indicator removed, remove the differential bearing cap bolts and differential bearing caps.

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1. 7.
   
   Remove the differential carrier, differential carrier bearing cups and the differential shims.

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1. 8.
   
   
   NOTE: Have the selected shims available at this time. It will be required to hold the differential carrier and the differential carrier bearing cups in until shims are installed.

   Install the differential carrier and the differential carrier bearing cups.

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1. 9.
   
   
   NOTE: Differential bearing shims are to be installed with the chamfer facing outboard.
   • Install the RH selected ring gear back lash shim.
   • Position the differential to the RH side of the differential housing.
   NOTE: The differential bearing cap bolts should only be finger tight at this time.
   • Install the RH differential bearing cap and the differential bearing cap bolts.

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1. 10.
   
   Using the special tool and a soft face brass mallet, install the LH selected ring gear back lash shim. Use Special Service Tool: 205-220 Installer, Differential Shim.

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1. 11.
   
   
   NOTE: The differential bearing cap bolts should only be finger tight at this time.

   Install the LH differential bearing cap and the differential bearing cap bolts.

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1. 12.
   
   Tighten the differential bearing cap bolts.

   Torque

   : 83 lb.ft (112 Nm)

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1. 13.
   
   Rotate the differential several times, to assure the differential assembly rotates freely.

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1. 14.
   
   Using the dial indicator gauge with holding fixture, do a final check of the ring gear backlash. Use the General Equipment: Dial Indicator

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1. 15.
   
   Verify an acceptable ring gear tooth pattern check. Refer to: Rear Drive Axle and Differential .

1. 16.
   
   Install the axle shafts. Refer to: Axle Shaft .

1. 17.
   
   Install the differential housing cover. Refer to: Differential Housing Cover .