Pre-Disassembly Inspection
- Ring gear backlash, total bearing preload and gear tooth contact pattern should be checked before disassembling differential assembly. Record measurements results for use during reassembly.
- To check ring gear backlash, mount differential assembly in soft-jawed vice. Remove oil filler plug and seal washer from differential case cover. Remove oil seal from differential case. Align inspection hole on differential case with oil plug filler hole.
- Install Wrench (07LLA-SM40200 for 1991 models or 07MAA-SF10100 for 1992 models) in differential assembly. See Fig 1 . Mount dial indicator on differential case. See Fig 1 .
- Measure ring gear backlash on differential carrier. Ring gear backlash should be .0024-.0055" (.060-.140 mm).
- If ring gear backlash is within specification, proper thickness thrust shims are installed behind bearing races for differential carrier bearings, provided no components are changed. If ring gear backlash is not within specification, different thickness thrust shim must be installed during reassembly.
- To measure total bearing preload, install a dial-type INCH-lb. torque wrench on end of drive pinion. Rotate drive pinion and note total bearing preload. Total bearing preload should be 21-27 INCH-lbs. (2.4-3.0 N.m) with used bearings.NOTE: If total bearing preload is not within specification, different thickness shim must be installed behind bearing race for differential carrier bearings.
- To check gear tooth contact pattern, remove differential case cover. See Figure . Clean and paint both sides of ring gear teeth with Prussian Blue.
- Install differential case cover. Tighten bolts in a crisscross pattern to 33 ft.lbs. (45 N.m). Install Wrench (07LLA-SM40200) for 1991 models or (07MAA-SF10100) for 1992 models in differential assembly. See Fig 1 .
- Rotate ring gear both directions while applying resistance to pinion shaft. Remove differential cover and inspect ring gear tooth contact pattern. Correct gear tooth contact should be centered on the ring gear. See DRIVE AXLE - GEAR TOOTH CONTACT PATTERNS article in the DRIVE AXLES section.