Ring Gear Backlash Adjustment
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2021 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 INFORMATION
Special Tool(s) / General Equipment
| 205-220Installer, Differential Shim-1985-FH | |
|---|---|
| Dial Indicator | |
| Copper Hammer |
Adjustment
All vehicles
- Remove the differential housing cover. Refer to: Differential Housing Cover .
- 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
- 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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- If a zero backlash condition occurs or the backlash is not within specification, proceed to Step 5.
- If the backlash is within specification, proceed to Step 16. Refer to: Axle Shaft .
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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. Recheck backlash.
- Using the backlash chart, determine the thickness of differential shim needed: Refer to: SPECIFICATIONS .
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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.
- Remove the differential carrier, differential carrier bearing cups and the differential shims.
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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.
Vehicle equipped with ELD (Electronic Locking Differential)
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NOTE: Take extra care not to damage the wiring harnesses.NOTE: Verify the orientation of ELD coil and connector wiring is correct.
Install the differential carrier into housing.
- When installing the differential carrier into housing verify the tabs on the ELD coil are up against the differential bearing cap mounting surface.
- Verify the ELD connector wiring harness routine is orientated and aligned properly as shown.
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NOTE: Differential bearing shims are to be installed with the chamfer facing outboard.
- Install the LH selected ring gear back lash shim.
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NOTE: The differential bearing cap bolts should only be finger tight at this time.
Position the differential to the LH side of the differential housing. Install the LH differential bearing cap and the differential bearing cap bolts.
- Using the special tool and a soft face brass mallet, install the RH selected ring gear back lash shim. Use Special Service Tool: 205-220 Installer, Differential Shim.Use the General Equipment: Copper Hammer
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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.
All vehicles
- 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 .