1998 DODGE RAM 1500 rear axle

²Ring gear too far away from pinion gear (Fig.
13). Decrease backlash, by moving the ring closer to
the pinion gear using the adjusters.
²Ring gear too close to pinion gear (Fig. 14).
Increase backlash, by moving the ring away from the
pinion gear using the adjusters.
²Pinion gear is set too low (Fig. 15). Increase pin-
ion gear height, by increasing the pinion depth shim
thickness.
²Pinion gear is set too high (Fig. 16). Decrease
pinion depth, by decreasing the pinion depth shim
thickness.
Fig. 12 INCORRECT BACKLASH
1 - DRIVE SIDE TOE
2 - COAST SIDE HEEL
Fig. 13 INCORRECT BACKLASH
1 - DRIVE SIDE HEEL
2 - COAST SIDE HEEL
Fig. 14 INCORRECT BACKLASH
1 - DRIVE SIDE TOE
2 - COAST SIDE TOE
Fig. 15 LOW PINION HEIGHT
Fig. 16 HIGH PINION HEIGHT
DRREAR AXLE - 11 1/2 AA 3 - 147
REAR AXLE - 11 1/2 AA (Continued)

SPECIFICATIONS
AXLE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION SPECIFICATION
Axle Ratio 3.73, 4.10
Ring Gear Diameter 292 mm (11.5 in.)
Ring Gear Backlash 0.13-0.18 mm (0.005-0.007 in.)
Pinion Bearing Preload - New Bearings 1.69-2.82 N´m (15-25 in. lbs.)
Pinion Bearing Preload - Original Bearings 1-2 N´m (10-20 in. lbs.)
Pinion Bearing Preload + Differential Case Bearing
Preload - New Bearing3.4-5.6 N´m (30-50 in. lbs.)
Pinion Bearing Preload + Differential Case Bearing
Preload - Original Bearing2.8-5.1 N´m (25-45 in. lbs.)
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Fill Hole Plug 32 24 -
Differential Cover Bolts 40 30 -
Bearing Cap Bolts 281 207 -
Ring Gear Bolts 237 175 -
Axle Flange Bolts 129 95 -
Adjuster Lock Bolt 25 18 -
SPECIAL TOOLS
DIAL INDICATOR SET C-3339
HANDLE C-4171
BEARING INSTALLER D-389
3 - 148 REAR AXLE - 11 1/2 AADR
REAR AXLE - 11 1/2 AA (Continued)

DIAL INDICATOR STUD L-4438
SPLITTER 1130
PINION DEPTH GAUGE 6730
CUP INSTALLER 8153
ARBOR DISCS 8289
ADJUSTER WRENCH 8883
SEAL INSTALLER 8896
DRREAR AXLE - 11 1/2 AA 3 - 149
REAR AXLE - 11 1/2 AA (Continued)

PINION BLOCK 8897
SOCKET 8954
CUP INSTALLER 8960
CUP INSTALLER 8961
SEAL INSTALLER 8963
PLUG 8964
3 - 150 REAR AXLE - 11 1/2 AADR
REAR AXLE - 11 1/2 AA (Continued)

BEARING INSTALLER 8965
CUP INSTALLER 8968
PINION DRIVER 8977
FLANGE WRENCH 8979
PINION INSTALLER 8981
FLANGE PULLER 8992
DRREAR AXLE - 11 1/2 AA 3 - 151
REAR AXLE - 11 1/2 AA (Continued)

AXLE SHAFTS
REMOVAL
(1) Remove axle shaft flange bolts (Fig. 17).
(2) Slide axle shaft out of the axle tube.
(3) Remove axle shaft gasket.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: Axle flange bolts must be replaced or use
Mopar Lock N' Seal or LoctiteT242 on cleaned
existing bolts.
(1) Clean axle flange and hub.
(2) Install new axle shaft gasket.
(3) Slide axle shaft into the axle tube.
(4) Install axle shaft flange bolts and tighten to
129 N´m ( 95 ft. lbs.).
AXLE BEARINGS
REMOVAL
(1) Remove axle shaft flange bolts and remove
shaft.
(2) Remove retianer ring (Fig. 18) from the axle
shaft tube.
(3) Remove hub bearing nut locking key (Fig. 19).
BRIDGE 938
Fig. 17 AXLE FLANGE BOLTS
1 - AXLE FLANGE
2 - FLANGE BOLT
Fig. 18 RETAINER RING
1 - RETAINER RING
2 - LOCKING KEY
3 - BEARING NUT
Fig. 19 LOCKING KEY
1 - BEARING NUT
2 - LOCKING KEY
3 - AXLE TUBE
3 - 152 REAR AXLE - 11 1/2 AADR
REAR AXLE - 11 1/2 AA (Continued)

(4) Remove hub bearing nut with Socket 8954.
(5) Remove hub and bearings from the axle.
(6) Pry out hub bearing seal from the back of the
hub.
NOTE: The inner part of the seal may stay on the
axle tube (Fig. 20). This part must also be removed.
(7) Remove rear bearing.
(8) Remove hub bearing cups with a hammer and
drift.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install outer hub bearing cup with Installer
8961 and Handle C-4171.
(2) Install inner hub bearing cup with Installer
8153 and Handle C-4171.
(3) Pack bearings with the appropriate wheel bear-
ing grease.
(4) Install rear bearing and installnewgrease
seal with Installer 8963 and Handle C-4171.
(5) Slide hub on the axle tube and install front
bearing into the hub.
(6) Install hub bearing nut with Socket 8954 and
tighten to 30 N´m (22 ft. lbs.) while rotating the hub
(Fig. 21).
(7) Back off nut about 30É and align next hub nut
key slot with axle tube key slot and install locking
key.
NOTE: End play should be 0.025-0.25 mm
(0.01-0.001 in.)
(8) Install retainer ring with ring end in the key
slot.
(9) Install new axle shaft gasket and install the
axle shaft.
PINION SEAL
REMOVAL
(1) Remove axle shafts.
(2) Mark the propeller shaft and pinion flange for
installation reference.
(3) Remove propeller shaft.
(4) Rotate pinion gear three or four times.
(5) Measure and record the amount of torque nec-
essary to rotate the pinion gear with an inch pound
torque wrench (Fig. 22).
(6) Hold pinion flange with Flange Wrench 8979
(Fig. 23) and remove pinion flange nut.Fig. 20 INNER PART OF SEAL
1-PRYBAR
2 - AXLE TUBE
3 - REMAINING SEAL
Fig. 21 HUB NUT SOCKET
1 - SOCKET
2 - TORQUE WRENCH
Fig. 22 PINION ROTATING TORQUE
1 - PINION FLANGE
2 - TORQUE WRENCH
DRREAR AXLE - 11 1/2 AA 3 - 153
AXLE BEARINGS (Continued)

(7) Remove pinion flange with Pinion Flange
Puller 8992 (Fig. 24).
(8) Remove pinion shaft seal with a pry tool or
slide hammer mounted screw.
INSTALLATION
(1) Installnewpinion seal with Installer 8896
(Fig. 25).
(2) Apply a light coat of teflon sealant to the pin-
ion flange splines.
(3) Lightly tap the pinion flange onto the pinion
until a few threads are showing.
(4) Install flange washer andnewpinion nut.(5) Hold pinion flange with Flange Wrench 8979
(Fig. 26) and tighten pinion nut until pinion end play
is taken up.
(6) Rotate pinion several times to seat bearings.
(7) Measure pinion rotating torque with an inch
pound torque wrench and compare it to recorded
measurement. Tighten pinion nut in small incre-
ments, until pinion rotating torque is 0.40-0.57 N´m
(3-5 in. lbs.) greater than recorded measurement.
(8) Rotate pinion several times then verify pinion
rotating torque again.
(9) Install axle shafts.
(10) Install propeller shaft with reference marks
aligned.
(11) Check differential fluid level.
Fig. 23 FLANGE WRENCH
1 - PINION FLANGE
2 - FLANGE WRENCH
Fig. 24 PINION FLANGE PULLER
1 - PINION FLANGE
2 - PULLER
Fig. 25 PINION SEAL INSTALLER
1 - HANDLE
2 - INSTALLER
Fig. 26 FLANGE WRENCH
1 - FLANGE WRENCH
2 - PINION FLANGE
3 - 154 REAR AXLE - 11 1/2 AADR
PINION SEAL (Continued)