Tooth Contact Pattern Check
Tooth Contact Pattern Check - Gearset, Dana S1351. CAUTION: If reusing the differential ring gear and pinion, measure and record the backlash before disassembly. Reassembling the differential ring gear and pinion to the recorded backlash will match the established wear patterns. Hand- rolled patterns will cover less area than the established patterns.
Paint one quarter of both the drive and the coast side of the differential ring gear with marking compound.
Correct Contact Pattern - Single Index Lightly Loaded:
Correct Contact Pattern - Single Index Heavily Loaded:
2. While applying a load, rotate the differential ring gear one complete revolution.
3. Verify the contact pattern is correct.
- Tooth contact pattern can move only by adjusting backlash. Tooth contact pattern can move only in the direction of heel-to-toe, and toe-to-heel. Depth of the tooth contact pattern is not adjustable. Contact Spicer Service at 1-800-666-8688 for assistance if you are unable to establish an acceptable tooth contact pattern within the limits of backlash.
Tooth Contact Pattern Check - Gearset, Except Dana S135
1. To check the gear tooth contact, paint the gear teeth with the special marking compound. A mixture that is too wet will run and smear; a mixture that is too dry cannot be pressed out from between the teeth.
2. Use a box wrench on the ring gear bolts as a lever to rotate the differential ring gear several complete revolutions in both directions or until a clear tooth contact pattern is obtained.
3. Certain types of gear tooth contact patterns on the differential ring gear indicate incorrect adjustment. Incorrect adjustment can be corrected by readjusting the differential ring gear or the pinion.
Contact Pattern Location - Except Dana S135
In general, desirable ring gear tooth patterns must have the following characteristics:
- Drive pattern on the drive side differential ring gear well centered on the tooth.
- Coast pattern on the coast side differential ring gear well centered on the tooth.
- Clearance between the pattern and the top of the tooth.
- No hard lines where the pressure is high.
Acceptable differential ring gear tooth patterns for all axles.
Correct backlash with a thicker pinion position shim as necessary.
Correct backlash with a thinner pinion position shim as necessary.
Correct pinion position shim that requires a decrease in backlash.
Correct pinion position shim that requires an increase in backlash.