Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle)

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Special Tools

J 24429 Side Bearing Backlash Spanner

NOTE:

The differential side bearing preload is adjusted by the 2 adjusting nuts in the bearing bore. The bore and the bearing cap provide the mating threads for the bearing nut.
The differential must be initially preloaded in order to determine the backlash of the gear set. After the backlash is set, the final bearing preload is set.
The rotating torque of the drive pinion must be within specifications before the pinion gear bearing retainer can be installed.

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 Bearing Replacement .
Install the differential side bearing adjuster nuts.

NOTE:

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.

NOTE:

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 case assembly.

NOTE:

Tighten the bearing cap bolt finger-tight. DO NOT torque the bearing cap bolts at this time.

Install the differential bearing caps and bolts.

NOTE:

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

NOTE:

If the zero backlash cannot be obtained, turn the right side differential bearing adjuster nut in towards the rear axle housing until the differential ring gear fully contacts the drive pinion to obtain the zero backlash.

To establish the zero backlash point, slide the differential case assembly towards the right side axle housing until the ring gear contact the pinion.
Using the J-24429 spanner and holding the holding the differential ring gear against the drive pinion, turn the left differential bearing adjuster nut out from the axle housing until it contacts the differential side bearing.
Using the J-24429 spanner, turn the right differential bearing adjuster nut out from the axle housing until it contacts the differential side bearing.
Using the J-24429 spanner, back off the left adjusting nut approximately 2 slots in order to obtain the initial backlash adjustment.

NOTE:

Do not torque the adjuster lack bolt at this time.

Install the left adjuster nut lock and the adjuster nut lock bolt.
Using the J-24429 spanner, firmly tighten the right differential bearing adjuster nut in order to force the differential case assembly into solid contact with the left differential adjuster nut.
Rotate the pinion several times in order to seat the bearings.
Using the J-24429 spanner, loosen the right differential bearing adjuster nut until the nut is free from the differential side bearing.
Using the J-24429 spanner, tighten the right differential bearing adjuster nut until the differential bearing adjuster nut contacts the bearing.
Once the right differential bearing adjuster contacts the differential bearing, tighten the differential bearing adjuster nut. using the J 24429 spanner the following additional amounts:
Using the J-24429 spanner, tighten the differential bearing adjuster nut an additional 2 slots for used bearings or an additional 3 slots for new bearings.
Install the right differential bearing adjuster nut lock.

NOTE:

Do not torque the bolt at this time.

Install the right differential bearing adjuster nut lock bolt.

CAUTION:

Refer to Fastener Caution .

Tighten the bearing cap bolts to 185 (136 lb ft).
Tighten differential bearing adjuster nut lock bolts to 27 (20 lb ft).
Measure the ring gear to pinion backlash and adjust, if necessary. Refer to Backlash Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle) , Backlash Adjustment (9.5 LD Axle) , Backlash Adjustment (8.6 Inch Axle) .