Differential Assembly Overhaul
DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLYInspection
To establish a starting point before disassembly, inspect the following:
- Ring gear backlash
- Total bearing preload
- Gear tooth contact
NOTE:
- Be sure the differential is at room temperature before inspecting.
- Record the results of the preliminary inspections.
This information will be helpful during reassembly.
Ring Gear Backlash
1. Remove the oil filler plug and the oil seal.
2. Secure the differential assembly in a vise with soft
3. Align the differential gear inspection hole with the oil filler plug hole.
4. Measure the backlash of the ring gear on the differential carrier using the special tools as shown. After measuring, remove the dial gauge and turn the differential carrier one full turn, then remeasure the backlash.
Standard: 0.06 - 0.14 mm (0.002 - 0.006 inch)
The difference between the two measurements taken must not exceed 0.06 mm (0.002 inch).
5. Remove the differential case cover and the differential carrier.
NOTE: Loosen the bolts in a crisscross pattern, in several steps.
6. Use a dial-type torque wrench on the drive pinion to measure the drive pinion bearing preload (Tp).
7. Reinstall the differential carrier and the differential case cover, then measure the total bearing preload. The total bearing preload should exceed the drive pinion bearing preload (Tp) by:
Standard: 0.94 - 1.07 Nm (9.6 - 10.9 kgfcm, 8.33 - 9.46 inch lbs.)
Example:
Total bearing preload (from step 7)
- Tp (from step 6)
= 0.94 - 1.07 Nm (9.6 - 10.9 kgfcm, 8.33 - 9.46 inch lbs.)
Gear Tooth Contact
8. Remove the differential case cover and differential carrier. Clean and paint the ring gear teeth lightly and evenly with Prussian Blue (on both sides of each tooth).
9. Reinstall the differential carrier and the differential case cover, then torque the bolts in a crisscross pattern in several steps.
10. Install the special tool as shown, then rotate the drive pinion in both directions so that the ring gear rotate one full turn in both directions. During this operation resistance should be applied to the ring gear.
11. Remove the differential case cover and the differential carrier, then check the tooth contact pattern.
Disassembly
1. Remove the bolts in a crisscross pattern, in several steps, then remove the differential case cover.
2. Remove the oil seal from the differential case cover.
3. Remove the bearing outer race and the 79.5 mm thrust shim(s) from the differential case cover by heating the differential case cover to about 212°F (100°C).
NOTE:
- Do not heat the differential case cover in excess of 212°F (100°C).
- If the bearing outer race was removed by heating, allow the differential case cover to cool to room temperature.
- Replace the tapered roller bearing with a new one whenever the bearing outer race is replaced.
4. Remove the breather plate.
5. Remove the differential carrier from the differential case.
6. Remove the oil guide pipe.
7. Hold the drive pinion with a 1 1/4', (32 mm) hex bit and socket as shown.
8. Raise the locknut tab from the groove of the drive pinion, and remove the locknut, thrust washer and pinion hub.
NOTE: Be sure the tab of the locknut is completely clear of the groove or damage to the threads can occur.
9. Remove the oil seal, then remove the thrust washer. Use a plastic hammer to carefully tap the drive pinion out of the tapered roller bearing, then remove the bearing.
10. Remove the drive pinion, pinion spacer and thrust washers.
11. Remove the bearing outer races, thrust washers and 79.5 mm thrust shims from the differential case by heating the differential case to about 212°F (100°C).
NOTE:
- Do not heat the differential case in excess of 212°F (100°C).
- If the bearing outer race was removed by heating, allow the differential case to cool to room temperature.
- Replace the tapered roller bearing with a new one whenever the bearing outer race is replaced.
12. Remove the tapered roller bearing and 43 mm thrust shim using a press as shown.
DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER
Tapered Roller Bearing Replacement
1. Remove the tapered roller bearings using the bearing separator and a press as shown.
NOTE: Support the differential carrier with your hand so it dose not fall and hit the ground when pressed clear.
2. Install the both tapered roller bearings using the special tool and a press as shown.
Backlash Inspection
1. Remove the tapered roller bearings (see previous column).
2. Install the left driveshaft and the intermediate shaft in the side gears.
3. Measure the backlash of both pinion gears.
If the backlash exceeds the service limit, replace the differential carrier.
Ring Gear Replacement
1. Remove the bolts in a crisscross pattern, in several steps, and remove the ring gear.
2. Install the ring gear by tightening the bolts in a crisscross pattern, in several steps. If the bolts are difficult to tighten, make sure that the ring gear is going onto the differential carrier correctly.
DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY
Reassembly
NOTE:
- If replacement is required, always replace the drive pinion and ring gear as a set.
- If the drive pinion and ring gear are replaced, check the height adjustment.
- If replacement of one of the tapered roller bearings in the drive pinion and in the differential carrier is required, use the same make bearings and replace both bearings at once.
1. Install the 43 mm thrust shim and tapered roller bearing using the special tools and a press as shown.
NOTE: Use a used pinion spacer with the special tool for bearing installation, and then discard the used pinion spacer.
2. Check the differential case bearing surface areas for burrs, and remove as needed. Position the inboard thrust washer into the differential case. Using the sides of the special tools stamped "A", install the outboard bearing outer race as shown. Repeat for the inboard bearing outer race.
a. First install the outboard bearing outer race.
b. Next install the inboard bearing outer race.
3. Install the 79.5 mm thrust shim(s) and bearing outer race using the special tools as shown.
NOTE: Install the 79.5 mm thrust shim(s) that was removed.
4. Install the 79.5 mm thrust shim(s) and bearing outer race using the special tools as shown.
NOTE: Install the 79.5 mm thrust shim(s) that was removed.
5. Apply lubricant to the tapered roller bearing, then install the drive pinion into the differential case as shown.
NOTE: Do not install the pinion spacer and thrust washers at this time.
6. Apply lubricant to the tapered roller bearing, then install it using the special tool while holding the drive pinion as shown.
7. Install the large thrust washer, pinion hub, small thrust washer, and a new locknut.
NOTE: Lubricate the locknut and drive pinion threads with gear oil.
8. Hold the drive pinion with a 1 1/4" (32 mm) hex bit and socket as shown, then carefully tighten the pinion locknut until there is no play in the pinion shaft.
Torque: 20 Nm (2.0 kgfm, 14 ft. lbs.)
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the tapered roller bearing, do not overtighten the locknut.
9. Clean and paint the ring gear teeth lightly and evenly with Prussian Blue (on both sides of each tooth).
10. Apply lubricant to the tapered roller bearings, install the differential carrier into the differential case, then install the differential case cover.
11. Install the bolts and tighten in a crisscross pattern in several steps.
12. Install the special tool as shown, then rotate the drive pinion in both directions so that the ring gear rotate one full turn in both directions. During this operation resistance should be applied to the ring gear.
13. Remove the differential case cover, and check the tooth contact pattern (heel and toe). Adjust the ring gear tooth contact as needed.
14. After adjusting the ring gear tooth contact, remove the drive pinion, then install a new pinion spacer and thrust washers on the drive pinion.
15. Apply lubricant to the tapered roller bearing, then install it using the special tool while holding the drive pinion as shown.
16. Install the large thrust washer, pinion hub, small thrust washer and locknut.
NOTE: Lubricate the locknut and drive pinion threads with gear oil.
17. Hold the drive pinion with a 1 1/4" (32 mm) hex bit and socket as shown.
18. Tighten the locknut to 216 Nm (22 kgfm, 159 ft. lbs.), and measure the tapered roller bearing preload (TP).
NOTE: Rotate the drive pinion several times to assure proper tapered roller bearing contact.
Standard:
New Bearing: 1.82 - 2.49 Nm (118.6 - 25.4 kgfcm, 16.1 - 22.0 inch lbs.)
Reused Bearing: 1.42 - 1.91 Nm (114.5 - 19.5 kgfcm, 12.6 - 16.9 inch lbs.)
- If the tapered roller bearing preload exceeds the standard, replace the pinion spacer.
- If the tapered roller bearing preload is less than the standard, adjust by tightening the locknut a little at a time, but keep the torque within 216 - 313 Nm (22 - 32 kgfm, 159 - 231 ft. lbs.). If this not possible, replace the pinion spacer.
19. Clean and paint the ring gear teeth lightly and evenly with Prussian Blue (on both sides of each tooth).
20. Install the differential carrier into the differential case, and reinstall the differential case cover.
21. Install the bolts and tighten in a crisscross pattern in several steps.
Torque: 44 Nm (4.5 kgfm, 33 ft. lbs.)
22. Install the special tool as shown. Rotate the drive pinion in both directions so that the ring gear rotate one full turn in both directions. During this operation resistance should be applied to the ring gear.
23. Remove the special tool, and use a dial-type torque wrench on the drive pinion to check total bearing preload. The total bearing preload should exceed the drive pinion bearing preload by the amount shown in the next column.
NOTE: Rotate the drive pinion several times to ensure proper bearing contact.
Standard:
New differential carrier tapered roller bearing: Total bearing preload (from step 23) Tp from step 18) 1.04 - 1.26 Nm (10.6 - 12.8 kgfcm, 9.2 - 11.1 inch)
Reused differential carrier tapered roller bearing: Total bearing preload (from step 23) Tp from step 18) 0.94 - 1.07 Nm (9.6 - 10.9 kgfcm, 8.33 - 9.46 inch lbs.).
If the total bearing preload is not within the standard, correct it by increasing or decreasing the preload on the carrier bearings as needed. If there is too much preload, decrease the shim thickness equal amounts on both sides. If there is not enough preload, increase the shim thickness equal amounts on both sides.
NOTE: Be sure the same amount of shim thickness is added or subtracted from both sides, so that the backlash and tooth contact pattern are not affected.
24. Install the oil seal using the special tools as shown.
NOTE: Make sure that distance CAD is correct.
25. Hold the differential assembly using a bench vise with soft jaws as shown.
26. Align a backlash inspection hole with the oil filler plug hole, and install the special tools as shown.
27. Measure backlash on the differential carrier using the special tools as shown. After measuring, remove the dial gauge and turn the differential carrier one full turn, then remeasure the backlash.
Standard: 0.06 - 0.14 mm (0.002 - 0.006 inch)
The difference between the two measurements taken must not exceed 0.06 mm (0.002 inch).
28. If the backlash is less than the standard, adjust the ring gear backlash.
29. Remove the differential case cover, and check the tooth contact pattern (face and flank). If the tooth contact is not correct, adjust ring gear contact.
30. After all adjustments are made, install the breather plate and stake the screw heads in the groove as shown.
31. Remove the differential carrier, then install the oil guide pipe.
32. Install the differential carrier in the differential case.
33. Install the differential case cover, and tighten the bolts in a crisscross pattern in several steps.
NOTE:
- Use liquid gasket (P/N 08718 - 0001).
- Remove any dirt and oil from the sealing surface.
- If 20 minutes have passed after applying liquid gasket, reapply it, assemble the housings, and allow it to cure at least 20 minutes after assembly before filling differential with oil.
34. Install the oil seal using the special tools as shown.
35. Stake the locknut tab into the groove.
DRIVE PINION
Height Adjustment
NOTE: If the drive pinion and ring gear are replaced (always as a set), the height has to be adjusted.
Select the proper shim as follows:
First, calculate the difference in size between the old shim and the new pinion.
The last one of the numbers (see ill.) on each pinion is the plus (+) or minus H tolerance in thousands of a millimeter. So, a pinion with +20 is 0.02 mm larger and a pinion with - 20 is 0.02 mm smaller.
1. If the number on the old pinion is a plus (+), add it to the old shim thickness. If it is a minus H, subtract it from the old shim thickness.
2. If the number on the new pinion is a plus W, subtract it from the number you got in step 1. If it is a minus (-), add it to the step 1 number.
3. Select the shim that is closest (but not more than) the final number you got from steps 1 and 2.
Example 1:
Old shim: 2.00 mm thickness
Old pinion: +20 (0.02 mm)
New pinion: -10 (-0.01 mm)
2.00 + 0.02 + 0.01 = 2.03
Select the 2.03 mm (0.0799 inch) new shim.
Example 2:
Old shim: 1.70 mm thickness
Old pinion: -10 (-0.01 mm)
New pinion: -20 (-0.02 mm)
1.70 - 0.01 + 0.02 = 1.71
Select the 1.70 mm (0.0669 inch) new shim.
RING GEAR TOOTH CONTACT
Adjustment
1) Correct Tooth Contact
2) Toe Contact
- Use a thinner drive pinion shim (43 mm thrust shim) to move the drive pinion away from the ring gear.
3) Heel Contact
- Use a thicker drive pinion shim (43 mm thrust shim) to move the drive pinion toward the ring gear.
4) Flank Contact
- To move the ring gear away from the drive pinion, use a thicker side bearing shim (79.5 mm thrust shim) on the drive pinion side and a thinner one on the ring gear side.
NOTE: Recheck backlash after replacing the side bearing shims. If out of specification, adjust as described under Toe Contact.
5) Face Contact
- To move the ring gear toward the drive pinion, use a thinner side bearing shim (79.5 mm thrust shim) on the drive pinion side and a thicker one on the ring gear side.
NOTE: Recheck backlash after replacing the side bearing shims. If out of specification, adjust as described under Heel Contact.
RING GEAR BACKLASH
Adjustment
1. If the backlash exceeds the standard, correct by decreasing the shim thickness on one side and increasing the thickness of the other shim the same amount.
NOTE:
- The total thickness of both shims must still equal the total thickness of the original shims.
- If there is too much backlash, move the ring gear toward the drive pinion. If there is not enough backlash, move the ring gear away from the drive pinion.
2. After adjustment, recheck backlash.