DODGE RAM 1999 Service Repair Manual
Manufacturer: DODGE, Model Year: 1999, Model line: RAM, Model: DODGE RAM 1999Pages: 1691, PDF Size: 40.34 MB
Page 411 of 1691

Fig. 1: Installing Axle Housing Spreader
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
6) Remove dial indicator. Pry differential case from axle
housing. If reusing bearing races for differential bearings, mark
bearing race location for reassembly reference. Bearing races must be
installed with original differential bearing.
7) If removing ring gear, place differential case in soft-jaw
vise. Remove and discard ring gear bolts. Using soft-face hammer, tap
ring gear from differential case.
8) Remove pinion nut and washer from pinion. Scribe reference
mark on pinion flange and pinion if components are to be reused.
9) Using Holder (C-3281) and appropriate flange remover,
remove pinion flange from pinion. Remove oil seal from axle housing.
10) Remove slinger (if equipped), pinion bearing and preload\
shim(s). Note thickness of preload shims for reassembly reference in
case shims become misplaced.
11) Remove pinion and bearing from axle housing. Using
appropriate remover, remove front (outer) pinion bearing race from
axle housing. Remove rear (inner) pinion bearing race from axle
housing using remover. Remove pinion bearing depth shims from axle
housing. Measure and record shim thickness for reassembly reference.
12) Remove rear (inner) bearing from pinion, using
appropriate puller. Remove differential bearings from differential
case. Remove preload shims from differential case. Identify preload
shim location. Record preload shim thickness for reassembly reference.
13) Clamp differential case in soft-jaw vise. Remove roll pin
from differential case. Tap pinion shaft from differential case.
Page 412 of 1691

Remove pinion gears, pinion gear thrust washers, side gears and side
gear thrust washers from differential case.
Cleaning & Inspection
1) Clean components with solvent, and dry with compressed
air. Inspect components for wear. Inspect bearings and bearing races
for wear and pitting. Replace bearings and bearing races as a set.
Inspect ring gear and pinion teeth for wear and chipping. Replace ring
gear and pinion gear as matched set.
2) Check differential case for cracks or scoring of side
gears, thrust washers and pinion thrust faces. Check fit of side gears
to differential case and axle shaft splines. Examine shaft of pinion
shaft for scoring or excessive wear.
NOTE: Lubricate all bearings, bearing races, gears and thrust
washers with gear lube during reassembly.
Reassembly & Adjustments
1) Place differential case in soft-jaw vise. Install side
gears, side gear thrust washers, pinion gears and pinion gear thrust
washers in differential case.
2) Rotate side gears until holes in pinion gears and thrust
washers align with holes in differential case. Install pinion shaft.
Install roll pin in differential case. Stake edge of differential case
in 2 areas to retain roll pin in place. Remove differential case from
vise.
NOTE: Initial differential bearing preload must be performed to
determine thickness of preload shims in order to obtain zero
end play of differential case. Procedure must be performed
before installing pinion in axle housing.
3) Install ring gear on differential case. Use NEW ring gear
bolts. DO NOT reuse bolts. Tighten bolts evenly in alternating pattern
to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table. Proceed to INITIAL
DIFFERENTIAL BEARING PRELOAD.
Initial Differential Bearing Preload
1) Install dummy bearings on each side of differential case
where differential bearing fits. Use Dummy Bearing (D-345) for 216 FBI\
axle or (D-343) for 248 FBI axle.
2) Install differential case in axle housing. Install bearing
caps on axle housing. Ensure bearing caps are installed in original
location. Install bearing cap bolts.
3) Mount dial indicator on axle housing with stem against
back of ring gear. See Fig. 2. Pry between bearing cap and
differential case. Pry differential case to right as far as possible.
Zero dial indicator.
4) Pry differential case to the left as far as possible. Note
dial indicator reading. This reading is referred to as the
"differential case zero end play". Record differential case zero end
play reading.
5) Differential case zero end play measurement indicates
thickness of preload shims required to eliminate clearance between
differential bearings and bearing races.
6) Total thickness of preload shims will be determined during
ring gear backlash adjustment. Remove dial indicator, bearing caps and
differential case from axle housing. Proceed to PINION DEPTH
procedure.
Page 413 of 1691

Fig. 2: Measuring Differential Case End Play
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
Pinion Depth
1) Ring gear and pinion are a matched set. A gear matching
number is stamped on pinion face. This number must be same as number
on ring gear. A pinion depth variance marking is etched on pinion
face. See Fig. 3.
2) Etched marking (in thousandths of an inch) indicates
deviation from standard pinion depth setting. Standard pinion depth
setting is distance from center line of axle shaft to rear pinion
bearing shoulder area. See Fig. 3. Standard pinion depth setting
varies with axle model. See STANDARD PINION DEPTH SETTING table.
STANDARD PINION DEPTH SETTING
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Application In. (mm)\
216 FBI ............................................. 4.312 (109.52)\