Ring Gear Backlash Adjustment
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2020 Ford F-150. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
For information on Ford Color Coded Illustrations refer to OEM COLOR CODING .
Special Tool(s) / General Equipment
| 205-220 Installer, Differential Shim TKIT-1985-FH | |
|---|---|
| Dial Indicator | |
| Copper Hammer |
Adjustment
- Remove the differential housing cover. Refer to: Differential Housing Cover .
- Install the dial indicator gauge with holding fixture, with the dial indicator at around 90 degree angle from the ring gear tooth. Use the General Equipment: Dial Indicator
- Using the dial indicator check the ring gear backlash. Rotate the ring gear and carrier back and forth through the free play only.
- If a zero backlash condition occurs or the backlash is not within specification, proceed to Step 4.
- If the backlash is within specification, proceed to Step 18. Use the General Equipment: Dial Indicator
- If a backlash correction is to be made, remove the axle shafts. Refer to: Axle Shaft .
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NOTE: The differential bearing caps and differential bearing cap bolts need to be installed in the same location as removed.
- Mark the differential bearing caps.
- Remove the differential bearing cap bolts.
- Remove the differential bearing caps.
- Remove the differential carrier, differential carrier bearing cups and the differential shims.
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- 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.
- Using the backlash chart, determine the thickness of differential shim needed. Refer to: Specifications .
- Install the bearing caps and bolts.
- Using the dial indicator recheck the ring gear backlash. Rotate the ring gear and carrier back and forth through the free play only.
- If backlash is now within specification, proceed to Step 10.
- If backlash is not within specification, go back to Step 4. Use the General Equipment: Dial Indicator
- Remove the bolts and the bearing caps.
- To establish differential bearing preload, increase both LH and RH differential bearing shim size by the thickness shown.
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- Install the RH selected ring gear backlash shim.
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NOTE: Only tighten the bolts finger tight at this stage.
Position the differential to the RH side of the differential housing. Install the RH differential bearing cap and the differential bearing cap bolts.
- Using the special tool and a soft face copper mallet, install the LH selected ring gear backlash shim. Make sure the assembly rotates freely. Use Special Service Tool: 205-220 Installer, Differential Shim. Use the General Equipment: Copper Hammer
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NOTE: Only tighten the bolts finger tight at this stage.
Install the LH differential bearing cap and the differential bearing cap bolts.
- Tighten the differential bearing cap bolts.
Torque: 83 lb.ft (112 Nm)
- Rotate the differential several times, to assure the differential assembly rotates freely.
- Using the dial indicator gauge with holding fixture, do a final check of the ring gear backlash. Use the General Equipment: Dial Indicator
- Apply marking compound and rotate the differential assembly 5 complete revolutions.
- Verify an acceptable ring gear tooth pattern check. Refer to: Rear Drive Axle and Differential .
- Install the axle shafts. Refer to: Axle Shaft .
- Install the differential housing cover. Refer to: Differential Housing Cover .