Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle): Procedure

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Install the pinion gear bearing retainer or the drive pinion. Refer to Drive Pinion Housing and/or Seal Replacement .
Install the differential side bearings, if necessary. Refer to Differential Side Bearings Replacement .
Install the differential side bearing adjuster nuts.

IMPORTANT: Before installation of the differential case assembly, ensure that the side bearing surfaces in the carrier are clean and free of burrs. If the original bearings are to be reused, the original bearing cups must also be used.

Install the differential case assembly.
If the differential case assembly cannot be installed, turn the differential side bearing adjuster nuts into the axle housing until the differential case assembly can be installed.
Install the differential bearing caps.
Install the differential bearing cap bolts.
Tighten the bearing cap bolt finger-tight. Do not torque the bearing cap bolts at this time.

IMPORTANT: Do not force the ring gear into contact with the drive pinion.

Slide the differential case assembly towards the right side axle housing until the ring gear contact the pinion.
This is the zero backlash point.

If the zero backlash cannot be obtained, turn the right side differential bearing adjuster nut in towards the axle housing until the ring gear fully contacts the pinion to obtain the zero backlash.
While holding the ring gear against the pinion, turn the left differential bearing adjuster nut out from the axle housing using the J 24429 until it contacts the differential side bearing. See Special Tools .
Turn the right differential bearing adjuster nut out from the axle housing using the J 24429 until it contacts the differential side bearing. See Special Tools .
Back off the left adjusting nut approximately 2 slots using the J 24429 in order to obtain the initial backlash adjustment. See Special Tools .
Install the left adjuster nut lock and the adjuster nut lock bolt.
Do not torque the bolt at this time.
Firmly tighten the right differential bearing adjuster nut using the J 24429 in order to force the differential case assembly into solid contact with the left differential adjuster nut. See Special Tools .
Rotate the pinion several times in order to seat the bearings.
Loosen the right differential bearing adjuster nut using the J 24429 until the nut is free from the differential side bearing. See Special Tools .
Tighten the right differential bearing adjuster nut using the J 24429 until the differential bearing adjuster nut contacts the bearing. See Special Tools .
Once the right differential bearing adjuster contacts the differential bearing, tighten the differential bearing adjuster nut using the J 24429 the following additional amounts:. See Special Tools .
Tighten:
- For used bearings, tighten the differential bearing adjuster nut an additional 2 slots.
- For new bearings, tighten the differential bearing adjuster nut an additional 3 slots.
Install the right differential bearing adjuster nut lock.
Install the right differential bearing adjuster nut lock bolt.
Do not torque the bolt at this time.

NOTE: Refer to FASTENER NOTICE .

Tighten the bearing cap bolts.
Tighten: Tighten the bearing cap bolts to 185 N.m (136 lb ft).
Tighten differential bearing adjuster nut lock bolts.
Tighten: Tighten the differential bearing adjuster nut lock bolts to 27 N.m (20 lb ft).
Measure the ring gear to pinion backlash and adjust, if necessary. Refer to Backlash Adjustment (8.6 Inch Axle) or Backlash Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle) .