1998 DODGE RAM 1500 Y case

(8) Slowly slide the scooter block across the pinion
height block over to the arbor (Fig. 9). Move scooter
block till dial indicator crests the arbor, then record
the highest reading.
(9) Select a shim equal to the dial indicator read-
ing.
(10) Install the select shim between the rear pin-
ion bearing and the pinion gear head.
DIFFERENTIAL CASE BEARING PRELOAD AND
GEAR BACKLASH
Backlash is adjusted by moving the adjusters in
and out or both. By moving the adjusters the case/
ring gear will move closer or further away from the
pinion. In most cases this adjustment can be used to
achieve the correct gear tooth pattern and set the
case bearing preload.
(1) Remove adjuster lock bolts and adjuster locks
(Fig. 10).
(2) Loosen the differential bearing caps.
(3) Slide differential case toward the pinion gear
until the gears make contact/zero backlash. If zero
backlash cannot be obtained, turn the pinion side
adjuster until zero backlash is obtained.
(4) Holding the differential case toward the pinion
gear, turn bearing adjusters with Spanner Wrench
8883 until they make contact with the differential
bearings/cups.
(5) Back off the ring gear side adjuster 4 holes, to
obtain initial ring gear backlash.
(6) Install ring gear side adjuster lock and bolt. Do
not tighten adjuster lock bolt at this time.
(7) Tighten pinion gear side adjuster firmly
against the differential case bearing cup.
(8) Rotate the pinion several times to seat the dif-
ferential bearings.
Fig. 8 GAUGE TOOLS IN HOUSING
1. PINION HEIGHT BLOCK
2. PINION BLOCK
3. ARBOR
4. ARBOR DISCS
Fig. 9 PINION DEPTH MEASUREMENT
1. DIAL INDICATOR
2. ARBOR
3. SCOOTER BLOCK
Fig. 10 ADJUSTER LOCK BOLT
1 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
2 - ADJUSTER LOCK
3 - ADJUSTER LOCK BOLT
4 - BEARING CAP BOLT
3 - 60 FRONT AXLE - 9 1/4 AADR
FRONT AXLE - 9 1/4 AA (Continued)

(9) Loosen pinion gear side adjuster until it is no
longer in contact with the bearing cup, then tighten
it until it makes contact.
(10) Tighten pinion gear side adjuster an addi-
tional:
²New Bearings:6 Adjuster Holes
²Original Bearings:4 Adjuster Holes
(11) Install pinion gear side adjuster lock and bolt.
Do not tighten adjuster lock bolt at this time.
(12) Tighten bearing cap bolts to 85 N´m (63 ft.
lbs.).
(13) Tighten adjuster lock bolts to 25 N´m (18 ft.
lbs.).
(14) Measure ring gear backlash with a Dial Indi-
cator C-3339 and Dial Indicator Stud L-4438 at eight
points around the drive side of the ring gear (Fig.
11). The backlash should be 0.08-0.25 mm
(0.003-0.010 in) with a preferred backlash of
0.13-0.18 mm (0.005-0.007 in).
NOTE: Backlash measurement should not vary
more than 0.05 mm (0.002 in) between measuring
points. If measurement does vary inspect the gears
for burrs, the differential case flange and ring gear
mounting.
GEAR TOOTH CONTACT PATTERN
Gear tooth contact pattern is used to verify the cor-
rect running position of the ring and pinion gears.
This will produce low noise and long gear life. Gears
which are not positioned properly may be noisy and
have shortened gear life.
(1) Wipe clean each tooth of the ring gear.(2) Apply gear marking compound to all of the ring
gear teeth.
(3) Verify bearing cap bolts are torque to specifica-
tion.
(4) Apply the brakes lightly to create a 14 N´m (10
ft. lbs.) pinion rotating torque.
(5) Rotate the pinion/pinion yoke 4 full revolutions
in each directions.
(6) Read gear tooth contact pattern:
²Gear contact pattern is correct (Fig. 12). Back-
lash and pinion depth is correct.
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.
²Ring gear too far away from pinion gear (Fig.
15). Decrease backlash, by moving the ring closer to
the pinion gear using the adjusters.
²Ring gear too close to pinion gear (Fig. 16).
Increase backlash, by moving the ring away from the
pinion gear using the adjusters.
Fig. 11 RING GEAR BACKLASH
1 - DIAL INDICATOR
2 - RING GEAR
Fig. 12 CORRECT CONTACT PATTERN
Fig. 13 INCORRECT BACKLASH
1 - COAST SIDE TOE
2 - DRIVE SIDE HEEL
DRFRONT AXLE - 9 1/4 AA 3 - 61
FRONT AXLE - 9 1/4 AA (Continued)

SPECIFICATIONS
AXLE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION SPECIFICATION
Axle Ratio 3.73, 4.10
Ring Gear Diameter 235 mm (9.25 in.)
Ring Gear Backlash 0.13-0.18 mm (0.005-0.007 in.)
Pinion Bearing Preload - New Bearing 1.7-2.8 N´m (15-25 in. lbs.)
Pinion Bearing Preload - Original Bearing 1.1-2.2 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 85 63 -
Ring Gear Bolts 140 103 -
Axle Nut 356 263 -
Pinion Shaft Lock Bolt 52 38 -
Adjuster Lock Bolt 25 18 -
DRFRONT AXLE - 9 1/4 AA 3 - 63
FRONT AXLE - 9 1/4 AA (Continued)

ASSEMBLY
(1) Pack the bearing caps 1/3 full of wheel bearing
lubricant. Apply extreme pressure (EP), lithium-base
lubricant to aid in installation.
(2) Position the spider in the yoke. Insert the seals
and bearings. Tap the bearing caps into the yoke
bores far enough to hold the spider in position.
(3) Place the socket (driver) against one bearing
cap. Position the yoke with the socket in a vise.
(4) Tighten the vise to force the bearing caps into
the yoke. Force the caps enough to install the retain-
ing clips.
(5) Install the bearing cap retaining clips.
(6) Install axle shaft.
INSTALLATION
(1) Clean axle shaft and apply a thin film of
Mopar Wheel Bearing Grease to the shaft splines
and hub bore.
(2) Install axle shaft through the steering knuckle
and into the differential side gears (Fig. 24).
(3) Install hub bearing in the knuckle.
(4) Install hub bearing bolts and tighten to 202
N´m (149 ft. lbs.).
(5) Install ABS wheel speed sensor, brake rotor
and caliper.
(6) Install axle washer and nut. Tighten axle nut
to 179 N´m (132 ft. lbs.).
(7) Rotate axle several 5 to 10 times to seat the
wheel bearing.
(8) Tighten axle nut to final torque of 356 N´m
(263 ft. lbs.).
(9) Align nut to next cotter pin hole and install
new cotter pin.
AXLE SHAFT SEALS
REMOVAL
(1) Remove hub bearings and axle shafts.
(2) Remove differential from differential housing.
(3) Remove differential bearing adjusters (Fig. 25).
(4) Remove axle seals (Fig. 26) located behind
adjusters with Receiver 8498 and Extractor 6310.
(5) Install Receiver 8498 into the adjuster bore.
Fig. 24 AXLE SHAFT
1 - AXLE YOKE
2 - AXLE SHAFT
3 - KNUCKLE
Fig. 25 ADJUSTERS
1 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE BEARING ADJUSTERS
2 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
Fig. 26 AXLE SHAFT SEAL
1 - ADJUSTER THREADS
2 - SEAL
DRFRONT AXLE - 9 1/4 AA 3 - 69
AXLE SHAFTS (Continued)

DIFFERENTIAL
REMOVAL
(1) Remove differential housing cover and drain
lubricant from the housing.
(2) Remove hub bearings and axle shafts.
(3) Remove adjuster lock bolts and adjuster locks
(Fig. 34).
(4) Mark bearing caps left and right for installa-
tion reference.
(5) Remove bearing cap bolts and remove bearing
caps.
(6) Loosen differential bearing adjusters (Fig. 35)
with Spanner Wrench 8883.
(7) Remove differential case from the housing.
(8) Remove bearing cups and tag them left and
right for installation reference.
DISASSEMBLY
(1) Remove pinion shaft lock bolt.
(2) Remove pinion shaft (Fig. 36).
Fig. 34 ADJUSTERS AND LOCKS
1 - ADJUSTER LOCK BOLT
2 - ADJUSTER LOCK
3 - ADJUSTER
4 - BEARING CAP
Fig. 35 ADJUSTERS
1 - BEARING CUP
2 - ADJUSTER
3 - BEARING CUP
4 - ADJUSTER
Fig. 36 PINION SHAFT
1 - PINION SHAFT
2 - PUNCH
3 - PINION GEAR
4 - SIDE GEAR
3 - 72 FRONT AXLE - 9 1/4 AADR

(3) Rotate differential pinion gears to differential
window and remove pinion gears and thrust washers
(Fig. 37).
(4) Remove differential side gears and thrust
washers (Fig. 38).
ASSEMBLY
NOTE: If the same gears and thrust washers are
being used, install them into their orignial locations.(1) Lubricate all differential components with axle
lubricant.
(2) Install differential side gears and thrust wash-
ers (Fig. 39).
(3) Rotate the one pinion gear with thrust washer
into the differential case (Fig. 40). Then rotate the
other pinion gear with thrust washer into the differ-
ential case.
Fig. 37 PINION GEAR
1 - DIFFERENTIAL WINDOW
2 - PINION GEAR
3 - THRUST GEAR
Fig. 38 SIDE GEARS
1 - SIDE GEAR
2 - SIDE GEAR
3 - PINION GEARS
Fig. 39 SIDE GEARS
1 - DIFFERENTIAL WINDOW
2 - SIDE GEAR
Fig. 40 PINION GEAR
1 - DIFFERENTIAL WINDOW
2 - SIDE GEARS
3 - PINION GEAR
DRFRONT AXLE - 9 1/4 AA 3 - 73
DIFFERENTIAL (Continued)

(4) Align hole in the pinion gears with hole in the
differential case.
(5) Install pinion shaft.
(6) Installnewpinion shaft lock bolt and tighten
to 52 N´m (38 ft. lbs.).
INSTALLATION
(1) Clean the housing cavity with a flushing oil,
light engine oil or lint free cloth.
CAUTION: Do not use water, steam, kerosene or
gasoline for cleaning.
(2) Lubricate differential case bearing.
(3) Install differential case with bearings cups into
the housing.
(4) Install bearing caps and bolts (Fig. 41). Tighten
the bearing cap bolts finger-tight.
NOTE: Do not torque bearing cap and bolts at this
time.
(5) Slide differential case toward the pinion gear
until the gears make contact/zero backlash. If zero
backlash cannot be obtained, turn the pinion side
adjuster until zero backlash is obtained.
(6) Holding the differential case toward the pinion
gear, turn bearing adjusters with Spanner Wrench
8883 until they make contact with the differential
bearings/cups.(7) Back off the ring gear side adjuster 4 holes, to
obtain initial ring gear backlash.
(8) Install ring gear side adjuster lock and bolt. Do
not tighten adjuster lock bolt at this time.
(9) Tighten pinion gear side adjuster firmly
against the differential case bearing cup.
(10) Rotate the pinion several times to seat the dif-
ferential bearings.
(11) Loosen pinion gear side adjuster until it is no
longer in contact with the bearing cup.
(12) Tighten pinion gear side adjuster until it just
makes contact with the bearing cup.
(13) Tighten pinion gear side adjuster an addi-
tional:
²New Bearings:6 Adjuster Holes
²Original Bearings:4 Adjuster Holes
(14) Install pinion gear side adjuster lock and bolt.
Do not tighten adjuster lock bolt at this time.
(15) Tighten bearing cap bolts to 85 N´m (63 ft.
lbs.).
(16) Tighten adjuster lock bolts to 25 N´m (18 ft.
lbs.) (Fig. 42).
(17) Measure ring gear backlash and check gear
tooth contact pattern. Refer to Adjustments for pro-
cedure.
(18) Install axle shafts and hub bearings.
(19) Install differential housing gasket and cover.
Tighten cover bolts to 40 N´m (30 ft. lbs.).
Fig. 41 CASE BEARING CAP
1 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
2 - BEARING CAP
3 - ADJUSTERFig. 42 ADJUSTER LOCK BOLT
1 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
2 - ADJUSTER LOCK
3 - ADJUSTER LOCK BOLT
4 - BEARING CAP BOLT
3 - 74 FRONT AXLE - 9 1/4 AADR
DIFFERENTIAL (Continued)

(20) Fill differential with lubricant, refer to Lubri-
cation & Maintenance for capacity and lubricant
type.
(21) Install fill plug and tighten to 32 N´m (24 ft.
lbs.).
DIFFERENTIAL CASE
BEARINGS
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the differential case from the housing.
(2) Install Plug 8888 into the end of the case.
(3) Remove differental case bearings with Bearing
Splitter 1130 and Bridge 938 (Fig. 43).
INSTALLATION
(1) Set differential case on Plug 8888.
(2) Install differenial case bearings with Installer
8881 and Handle C-4171 (Fig. 44).
(3) Install differentail case into housing.
PINION GEAR/RING GEAR
REMOVAL
NOTE: The ring and pinion gears are service in a
matched set. Never replace the ring gear/pinion
gear without replacing the other matching gear.
(1) Mark pinion flange and propeller shaft for
installation alignment.
(2) Disconnect propeller shaft from pinion flange
and remove propeller shaft.
(3) Remove axle shafts.
(4) Remove differential from housing.
(5) Place differential case in a vise with soft metal
jaw protectors
(6) Remove bolts holding ring gear to differential
case.
Fig. 43 DIFFERENTIAL CASE BEARING
1 - BRIDGE
2 - SPLITTER
3 - BEARING
4 - PLUG
Fig. 44 DIFFERENTIAL CASE BEARINGS
1 - HANDLE
2 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
3 - BEARING
4 - INSTALLER
DRFRONT AXLE - 9 1/4 AA 3 - 75
DIFFERENTIAL (Continued)