Pinion Bearing Preload

Install drive pinion with rear bearing and front bearing into differential carrier. Install pinion flange and nut with light coat of grease on threads. DO NOT install oil seal, slinger or collapsible spacer at this time.
Using a torque wrench, measure pinion bearing preload. See PINION BEARING PRELOAD. Install differential in case. Install adjusting nuts. Align side bearing caps. Tighten side bearing cap bolts. Tighten adjuster on ring gear side, using Adjuster (09504-00011) until ring gear backlash is within specifications.
Tighten other adjuster. Check ring gear backlash. Tighten or loosen adjusters equally until backlash is eliminated. Position a dial indicator against adjuster on ring gear side. Zero dial indicator. Tighten adjuster on other side until dial indicator starts to move. Tighten adjuster an additional 1-1 1/2 turns.
Check ring gear backlash. See AXLE ASSEMBLY SPECIFICATIONS . If backlash is not as specified, loosen one adjuster while tightening other adjuster an equal amount until backlash is as specified. Recheck ring gear backlash and pinion preload.
Check tooth gear pattern. If gear tooth patterns are not as specified, install correct washer behind rear bearing. Remove companion flange. Remove front bearing. Install new collapsible spacer on drive pinion. Install front bearing.
Install new oil seal and slinger. See PINION SEAL REPLACEMENT (ON VEHICLE) in REMOVAL & INSTALLATION section of this article. Tighten pinion nut. Check total starting preload. See TOTAL STARTING PRELOAD SPECIFICATIONS .
Check pinion flange runout and end play with a dial indicator. If end play or runout exceeds .004" (.10 mm), bearings must be checked. Stake drive pinion nut. Install adjuster locks.

Fig 1: Measuring Ring Gear Backlash