Tooth Contact Of HYPOID Gear

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Subaru Forester. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Adjust until correct teeth contact is obtained.
Check tooth contact, and perform the adjustment as follows.
- Correct tooth contact
  Check item: Tooth contact surface is slightly shifted toward the toe side under a no-load condition. (When driving, it moves towards the heel side.)
  
  Fig 1: Identifying Tooth Contact Pattern (Toe Side And Heel Side)
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Face contact
  Check item: Backlash is too large.
  
  Contact pattern
  
  Fig 2: Identifying Face Tooth Contact Pattern (Backlash Is Too Large)
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  
  Corrective action: Tighten the side retainer to move the driven gear closer to the drive pinion shaft.
  
  Fig 3: Adjusting Driven Gear Closer To Drive Pinion Shaft
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Flank contact
  Check item: Backlash is too small.
  
  Contact pattern
  
  Fig 4: Identifying Contact Pattern
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  
  Corrective action: Loosen the side retainer to move the driven gear away from the drive pinion shaft.
  
  Fig 5: Adjusting Drive Pinion Height
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Toe contact (inside contact)
  Check item: Teeth contact area is too small.
  
  Contact pattern
  
  Fig 6: Identifying Toe Contact Pattern (Inside Contact)
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  
  Corrective action: Increase thickness of the drive pinion shim according to the procedures for moving the drive pinion away from the driven gear. Also tighten the side retainer to move the driven gear closer to the drive pinion shaft.
  
  Fig 7: Moving Driven Gear Closer To Drive Pinion Shaft
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Heel contact (outside end contact)
  Check item: Teeth contact area is too small.
  
  Contact pattern
  
  Fig 8: Identifying Heel Contact (Outside End Contact)
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  
  Corrective action: Reduce thickness of the drive pinion shim according to the procedures for moving the drive pinion closer to driven gear. Also loosen the side retainer to move the driven gear away from the drive pinion shaft.
  
  Fig 9: Moving Drive Pinion Closer To Driven Gear
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.