Runout Check

Special Tools:

FRONT DIFFERENTIAL CASE RUNOUT CHECK
1. Remove the front axle assembly.





2. Remove the axle housing cover.
1 Remove the drain plug.
2 Drain the differential lubricant.
3 Remove the bolts.
4 Remove the axle housing cover.





3. Install the Bench Mounted Holding Fixture.

CAUTION: Fixture mounting bolts must have a minimum thread engagement in the carrier.





4. Install the Dial Indicator with Bracketry.





5. Check the ring gear runout.
1 Rotate the differential.
2 Check and record the reading.

NOTE: If the ring gear runout check exceeds specification, the cause may be a warped ring gear, a damaged differential case or loss of differential bearing preload. To determine the cause of the excessive runout, proceed with the following steps.

7. Remove the pinion gear.
8. Remove the spreader.





9. Position the differential case with the differential bearing cups in the front axle housing.





10. Install the differential bearing shim on the left side.





11. Install the LH bearing cap.
1 Position the bearing cap.
2 Install the bolts finger-tight.





12. Install progressively larger differential bearing shims on the RH side until the largest differential bearing shim can be assembled with a slight drag feel.





13. Tighten the bearing cap bolts.
1 Install the RH bearing cap and bolts.
2 Tighten the four bearing cap bolts.





14. Rotate the assembly to ensure free rotation.





15. Install the Dial Indicator with Bracketry.





16. Check the ring gear runout.
1 Rotate the differential.
2 Check and record the reading.

NOTE: See the specification chart for maximum ring gear runout.

17. If the runout is within specification, the original out-of-specification runout was caused by insufficient bearing preload. If the runout exceeds the specification, go to Step 18.





18. Remove the bearing caps.
1 Remove the bolts.
2 Remove the bearing caps.





19. Remove the differential case from the housing.





20. Remove the differential ring gear.
^ Remove the ten differential ring gear bolts.
^ Use a drift punch to separate the differential ring gear from the differential case.





21. Install the differential case in the housing without the ring gear.
1 Position the differential case.
2 Install the bearing caps.
3 Install the bearing cap bolts.





22. Position the Dial Indicator with Bracketry.
1 Rotate the differential case to ensure the differential bearings are properly seated.
2 Position the Dial Indicator with Bracketry.





23. Measure the differential case runout without the ring gear.
1 Rotate the differential case.
2 Check and note the differential case runout.

NOTE: See the specification chart for maximum differential case runout.





24. Remove the bearing caps.
1 Remove the bearing cap bolts.
2 Remove the bearing caps.





25. Remove the differential case from the housing.

NOTE: If runout is within specification, install a new ring gear and pinion. If runout exceeds specification, the ring gear is true and the concern is due to either a damaged differential case or differential bearings. Inspect the differential bearings. If the differential bearings are not damaged, replace both the differential case and the differential bearings.





26. Assemble the Pinion and Carrier Bearing Puller.





27. Position the Pinion and Carrier Bearing Puller.





28. Use the Pinion and Carrier Bearing Puller to remove the differential bearing.
^ Repeat the procedure for the other side.





29. Install the new differential bearings.
1 Position the appropriate differential bearing (RH or LH).
2 Use the appropriate press to install the differential bearing.
^ Repeat the procedure for the other differential bearing.

NOTE: Press against the differential bearing inner cone only.





30. Install the differential case in the housing without the ring gear.
1 Position the differential case.
2 Install the bearing caps.
3 Install the bearing cap bolts.





31. Position the Dial Indicator with Bracketry.
1 Rotate the differential case to ensure differential bearings are properly seated.
2 Position the Dial Indicator with Bracketry.





32. Recheck runout with the new differential case and differential bearings.
1 Rotate the differential case.
2 Recheck and note the differential case runout.

NOTE: See the specifications for maximum differential case runout. If runout is now within specification, use new differential bearings for assembly. If runout is still excessive, the differential case is damaged and should be replaced.





33. Remove the bearing caps bolts.





34. Remove the differential case from the housing.
1 Remove the bearing caps.
2 Remove the differential case.

35. Install the pinion gear and the ring gear.
36. Install the front drive axle assembly.