Preloading Carrier Bearings?

[dantwomey]

After another failed front diff I have a question.

 

Could someone give me a brief description of what's involved in properly preloading (i.e. shimming) the carrier (also called the side bearings) bearings of the front diff?

 

Regards,

Dan

[speedfrk73z]

1. You need a spanner socket wrench, torque wrench, and a dial indicator. You also need new locking tabs for the carrier nuts.

2. Then you have to turn the carrier adjustment nuts (using the spanner socket) until the backlash (space between the pinion and ring gear) is set to 0.13-0.18 mm (0.005-0.007 in) (Using the dial indicator. Set up on the pinion yoke).

3. Then use the torque wrench to preload the bearings to 75 Nm (55 lb ft).

4. Recheck the backlash setting. If its not in the range 0.13-0.18 mm (0.005-0.007 in) re-adjust.

5. Once you are happy with the backlash setting you can bend the locking tabs over the adjustment nuts.

6. Put the diff back together

7. See post "Front end Dead" for all torque settings.

8. Good Luck!

Edited December 8, 2008 by speedfrk73z (see edit history)