Perform the differential bearing preload adjustment before
installing the drive pinion gear.
Refer to
Rear Axle With Antilock Brake System (Drum Brakes)
If the drive pinion gear is installed, remove the ring gear.
Refer to
Differential Case Assembly
.
Change the thickness of both the right and the left bearing shims by
an equal amount in order to adjust differential bearing preload.
Refer to
Rear Axle With Antilock Brake System and Differential Assembly
Changing the thickness of both of the bearing shims equally will ensure
that the original backlash remains constant.
Production bearing shims are cast iron. Production bearing shims (1)
vary in thickness from 5.33-6.91 mm (0.210-0.272 in) in
increments of 0.05 mm (0.002 in).
Refer to
Rear Axle With Antilock Brake System and Differential Assembly
Steel service bearing shims are available from 1.02-2.08 mm
(0.040-0.082 inch) in increments of 0.05 mm (0.002 in).
Refer to
Rear Axle With Antilock Brake System and Differential Assembly
Standard service bearing spacers are 4.32 mm (0.170 inch) thick.
Refer to Production Differential Bearing Shim Thickness (Standard Spacer)
and Service Differential Bearing Shim Thickness (Standard Spacer) in
Rear Axle Specifications
Important:
| • | Do not reinstall the production bearing shims. |
| | The production bearing shims may break when tapped by a hammer. |
| • | Service bearing shims are reusable. |
| | The differential bearings must have the original outer races in place
when the bearings are reused. |
- Determine the approximate required thickness of the replacement
bearing shims.
Measure each production bearing shim (1) or each service bearing spacer
and each bearing shim pack.
Refer to
Rear Axle With Antilock Brake System and Differential Assembly
- Determine the necessary service bearing shims.
Select a starting point in service bearing shim thickness.
Refer to Service Differential Bearing Shim Thickness (Standard Spacer)
in
Rear Axle Specifications
- Position the following components into the rear axle housing:
| • | The differential bearing outer races |
| • | Refer to
Rear Axle With Antilock Brake System and Differential Assembly
|
- Slip the correct service bearing spacer between each differential
bearing race and the rear axle housing.
Ensure that the chamfered edge of the service bearing spacer is placed
against the rear axle housing.
Refer to
Rear Axle With Antilock Brake System and Differential Assembly
Notice: Install the left side bearing cap loosely so the differential case may
be moved while checking adjustments. Another differential bearing cap bolt/screw
can be added in the lower right side differential bearing cap hole. This will
prevent the case from dropping while making shim adjustments.
- Select one or two bearing shims.
Refer to Service Differential Bearing Shim Thickness in
Rear Axle Specifications
for the correct total thickness.
- Position the shims between the right side of the differential
bearing race and the service bearing spacer.
| • | The right side of the differential bearing race |
| • | The service bearing spacer |
| • | Ensure that the left side differential bearing race and the bearing
spacer are against the left side of the rear axle housing. |
| • | Refer to
Rear Axle With Antilock Brake System and Differential Assembly
|
- Insert progressively larger feeler gauge sizes between the right
bearing shim and service bearing spacer until a noticeable increase in drag
exists.
Refer to
Rear Axle With Antilock Brake System and Differential Assembly
The following measurements are examples of progressively larger feeler
gauge sizes:
- Push a feeler gauge downward until the end of the gauge touches
the rear axle housing bore. This position will ensure an accurate reading.
Correct feeler gauge thickness exists at the point just before additional
drag begins.
- Rotate the differential case (9) while using the feeler gauge
in order to ensure an even reading.
Refer to
Rear Axle With Antilock Brake System and Differential Assembly
| • | The weight of the differential case against the rear axle housing
(10) causes the original light drag. |
| • | Differential bearing preload causes the additional drag. |
| • | Refer to
Rear Axle With Antilock Brake System (Drum Brakes)
|
| • | Starting with a thin feeler gauge obtains a sense of feel that
is necessary in order to recognize the beginning of the preload. |
| • | Recognizing the beginning of the preload is necessary in order to obtain
zero clearance. |
| • | Work the differential case (9) in, out and to the left in order
to insert the feeler gauge. |
| • | Refer to
Rear Axle With Antilock Brake System and Differential Assembly
|
- Remove the following components from the rear axle housing:
| • | The left side differential bearing cap |
| • | Refer to
Rear Axle With Antilock Brake System (Drum Brakes)
|
| • | The left side bearing shim |
| • | Refer to
Rear Axle With Antilock Brake System and Differential Assembly
|
- Add the following measurements in order to obtain the size of
the total shim pack that is needed with no preload on the differential bearings
(3)
| • | The feeler gauge reading measured in Step 7. |
| • | The thickness of the bearing shims that were installed in Step
4. |
| • | Refer to
Rear Axle With Antilock Brake System and Differential Assembly
|
- Select two bearing shims of approximately equal size. The total
thickness of the two shims must be equal to the value obtained in Step 9.
When installing the differential case into the rear axle housing, install
the above bearing shims (1) between the following components:
| • | Each differential bearing race |
| • | Each service bearing spacer |
| • | Refer to
Rear Axle With Antilock Brake System and Differential Assembly
|
| • | The additional preload will be added after the differential case is
installed. |
- Install the ring gear if the drive pinion gear is in position.
Refer to
Differential Case Assembly
