2
Pinion Gear Adjustments
Most pinion preload adjustments are made using a collapsible spacer; some use selective shims.
Most pinion depth shims are between the gear head and the bearing; some fit between the bearing cup and the carrier.
Adjust Ring & Pinion Gears
1
Carrier Adjustments
Carriers require four major adjustments during assembly: 1. Pinion bearing preload 2. Pinion depth 3. Carrier bearing preload 4. Backlash
Dial Indicator Ring Gear
9
Ring Gear Tooth Names
Heel Toe
Hale Waihona Puke Coast Side: Concave
Drive Side: Convex
The heel is the outer end of the ring gear tooth, and the toe
4
Checking Preload
Low-reading Torque Wrench
The amount of torque required to rotate the pinion gear is being measured using a low-reading torque wrench. If the amount is too low, the pinion nut will be tightened further to put more preload on the bearings.
6
Replacing Differential
Differential Case
Carrier
Shim
The differential and ring gear with the carrier bearings has been placed into the carrier with the ring gear contacting the pinion gear. An adjusting shim is being inserted between the left bearing cup and the housing.
8
Checking Back Lash
Flexible Mount
The dial indicator is set up using a flexible mount. The measuring stylus is against a ring gear tooth. Back lash is read on the dial indicator by rocking the ring gear back and forth while holding the pinion gear stationary.
10
Contact Pattern
Gear Marking Compound Face Flank
Pinion Tooth Contact
To check gear contact, a thin film of gear marking compound is painted onto the tooth, and the gears are rotated. The rubbing action of the pinion gear should wipe off a contact area that is about one-half the length of the tooth.
is at the inner end. The pinion gear exerts driving pressure on
the more vertical convex side of the tooth while the more
slanted, concave side is called the coast side.
7
Carrier Bearing Preload
Shim
A shim is being inserted between the right side bearing cup and the housing. The thickness of this (right side) shim and the left side shim will determine carrier bearing preload and back lash. Carrier bearing preload occurs when the shims are thicker than the space.
5
Shim Adjustment
Pinion Gear
Pinion Preload Shims
A group of shims are placed between a step on the pinion shaft and the bearings. Thinner shims will increase the amount of bearing preload.
Pinion Depth
Shim Shim
Pinion Preload
Shims
Collapsible Spacer
3
Crush Sleeve
Nut Crush Sleeve
The collapsible spacer, commonly called a crush sleeve, fits between the upper bearing and the lower bearing or gear. Tightening the pinion shaft nut collapses the sleeve and increases the preload on the bearings. A new crush sleeve is used when the pinion gear is installed.