Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment (9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 Inch Axle)

Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment (9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 Inch Axle)

Special Tools

J 24429 Side Bearing Backlash Spanner


Important: The rotating torque of the drive pinion must be within specifications before the differential case assembly can be installed.



1. Install the drive pinion, if necessary. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle) (Service and Repair)Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 Inch Axles) (Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 Inch Axles)) .




2. Measure the rotating torque of the drive pinion using an inch-pound torque wrench.

The rotating torque of the drive pinion should be 2.3-5.1 N.m (20-45 lb in).
Record the measurement.
3. Install the differential side bearings, if necessary. Refer to Differential Side Bearings Replacement (Service and Repair) .
4. Install the differential side bearing adjusters.

Important: Before installation of the differential assembly, ensure that the differential side bearing surfaces in the axle housing are clean and free of burrs. If the original differential side bearings are to be reused, the original differential side bearing cups must also be used.


If the differential case assembly cannot be installed, turn the differential side bearing adjuster into the axle housing until the proper clearance can be obtained.


5. Install the differential assembly.
6. Install the differential bearing caps.
7. Install the differential bearing cap bolts.

Important: In the following service procedure, DO NOT torque the differential bearing cap bolts, only finger tighten them.


8. Install the differential bearing cap bolts.

Important: DO NOT FORCE the ring gear into contact with the drive pinion.


9. Slide the differential case assembly towards the right side axle housing until the ring gear contacts the drive pinion. This is the ZERO backlash point.

Important: If the ZERO backlash cannot be obtained, turn the right side differential bearing adjuster in towards the axle housing until the ring gear fully contacts the pinion to obtain the ZERO backlash.


10. Check for ZERO backlash.
11. While holding the ring gear against the pinion, turn the left differential bearing adjuster out from the axle housing using the J 24429 until it contacts the differential side bearing.
12. Turn the right differential bearing adjuster out from the axle housing using the J 24429 until it contacts the differential side bearing.
13. Back off the left differential adjuster approximately 2 slots using the J 24429 in order to obtain the initial backlash adjustment.
14. Using the J 24429 , tighten the right differential bearing adjuster until the differential case is in contact with the left differential adjuster.
15. Using the J 24429 , tighten the left and the right differential bearing adjuster one additional slot.
16. Rotate the pinion several times in order to seat the bearings.
17. Measure the drive pinion and differential case side bearing preload using an inch-pound torque wrench.

The rotating torque of the drive pinion and differential case bearings should be 4.0-6.4 N.m (35-57 lb in).

18. If the rotating torque of the drive pinion and differential case is less than 4.0 N.m (35 lb in), continue tighten the left and the right differential side bearing adjuster one slot at a time using the J 24429 until correct rotating torque is obtained.
19. If the rotating torque of the drive pinion and differential case is greater than 6.4 N.m (57 lb in), loosen the left and the right differential side bearing adjuster one slot at a time using the J 24429 until correct rotating torque is obtained.
20. Measure the drive pinion to ring gear backlash and adjust, if necessary. Refer to Backlash Adjustment (8.6 Inch Axle) (Backlash Adjustment (8.6 Inch Axle))Backlash Adjustment (9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 Inch Axles) (Backlash Adjustment (9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 Inch Axles)) .
21. Once the backlash is within specifications, measure the rotating torque of the drive pinion to verify that the rotating torque of the drive pinion and differential case is within specifications. If the rotating torque of the drive pinion and differential case is not within specifications, adjust the differential side bearing preload following the steps above. It may be necessary to repeat the differential side bearing preload and backlash adjustment procedures several times until both are within specifications.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice .

22. Tighten the differential bearing cap bolts.

Tighten the differential bearing cap bolts to 109 N.m (80 lb ft).





23. Install the differential bearing adjuster locks.




24. Install the differential bearing adjuster lock bolts.

Tighten the differential bearing adjuster lock bolts to 13 N.m (10 lb ft).