Slight Pittings in Gear Teeth

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Ford Pickup, 2002 Ford F550 Super Duty, and 2002 Ford F450 Super Duty. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Fig 1: Locating Slight Pittings In Gear Teeth

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

The term describes individual, small, localized pittings that cover up to approximately 0.5 % of the flank face, and pore-like areas of pitting that usually are only present in the root zone of the flank. High local contact pressures on gears, which have not yet been run-in, may lead to individual pittings. Running-in wear relieves these zones and the pitting may stop as a result. A change in operating conditions may also stop continued development of slight pittings in the same way.