2002 DODGE RAM torque

Condition Possible Causes Correction
Loss Of Lubricant 1. Lubricant level too high. 1. Drain lubricant to the correct
level.
2. Worn axle shaft seals. 2. Replace seals.
3. Cracked differential housing. 3. Repair as necessary.
4. Worn pinion seal. 4. Replace seal.
5. Worn/scored yoke. 5. Replace yoke and seal.
6. Axle cover not properly sealed. 6. Remove, clean, and re-seal
cover.
Axle Overheating 1. Lubricant level low. 1. Fill differential to correct level.
2. Improper grade of lubricant. 2. Fill differential with the correct
fluid type and quantity.
3. Bearing pre-loads too high. 3. Re-adjust bearing pre-loads.
4. Insufficient ring gear backlash. 4. Re-adjust ring gear backlash.
Gear Teeth Broke 1. Overloading. 1. Replace gears. Examine other
gears and bearings for possible
damage.
2. Erratic clutch operation. 2. Replace gears and examine the
remaining parts for damage. Avoid
erratic clutch operation.
3. Ice-spotted pavement. 3. Replace gears and examine
remaining parts for damage.
4. Improper adjustments. 4. Replace gears and examine
remaining parts for damage. Ensure
ring gear backlash is correct.
Axle Noise 1. Insufficient lubricant. 1. Fill differential with the correct
fluid type and quantity.
2. Improper ring gear and pinion
adjustment.2. Check ring gear and pinion
contact pattern. Adjust backlash or
pinion depth.
3. Unmatched ring gear and pinion. 3. Replace gears with a matched
ring gear and pinion.
4. Worn teeth on ring gear and/or
pinion.4. Replace ring gear and pinion.
5. Loose pinion bearings. 5. Adjust pinion bearing pre-load.
6. Loose differential bearings. 6. Adjust differential bearing
pre-load.
7. Mis-aligned or sprung ring gear. 7. Measure ring gear run-out.
Replace components as necessary.
8. Loose differential bearing cap
bolts.8. Inspect differential components
and replace as necessary. Ensure
that the bearing caps are torqued
tot he proper specification.
9. Housing not machined properly. 9. Replace housing.
BR/BEREAR AXLE - 286RBI 3 - 111
REAR AXLE - 286RBI (Continued)

(8) Thread Pilot Stud C-3288-B into rear cover bolt
hole below ring gear (Fig. 14).
(9) Attach a dial indicator C-3339 to pilot stud.
Position the dial indicator plunger on a flat surface
between the ring gear bolt heads (Fig. 14).
(10) Push and hold differential case to pinion gear
side of the housing and zero dial indicator (Fig. 15).
(11) Push and hold differential case to ring gear
side of the housing and record dial indicator reading
(Fig. 16).
(12) Add 0.254mm (0.010 in.) to the zero end play
total. This total represents the thickness of shims to
preload the new bearings when the differential is
installed.
(13) Rotate dial indicator out of the way on the
pilot stud.
(14) Remove differential case and dummy bearings
from the housing.(15) Install the pinion gear in axle housing. Install
the pinion yoke, or flange, and establish the correct
pinion rotating torque.
(16) Install differential case and Dummy Bearings
D-346 in the housing (without shims), install bearing
caps and tighten bolts snug.
(17) Seat ring gear side dummy bearing (Fig. 12).
(18) Position the dial indicator plunger on a flat
surface between the ring gear bolt heads. (Fig. 14).
Fig. 14 DIFFERENTIAL SIDE PLAY MEASUREMENT
1 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
2 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
3 - PILOT STUD
4 - DIAL INDICATOR
Fig. 15 DIAL INDICATOR LOCATION
1 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE TO PINION GEAR SIDE
2 - PILOT STUD
3 - DIAL INDICATOR EXTENSION
4 - DIAL INDICATOR FACE
Fig. 16 DIFFERENTIAL CASE AND DIAL INDICATOR
1 - DIAL INDICATOR
2 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE TO RING GEAR SIDE
3 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
3 - 116 REAR AXLE - 286RBIBR/BE
REAR AXLE - 286RBI (Continued)

SPECIFICATIONS
REAR AXLE - 286RBI
AXLE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION SPECIFICATION
Axle Ratio 3.55, 4.10
Ring Gear Diameter 286 mm (11.25 in.)
Ring Gear Backlash 0.12-0.20 mm (0.005-0.008 in.)
Pinion Gear Standard Depth 147.625 mm (5.812 in.)
Pinion Bearing Preload - Original Bearings 1-2 N´m (10-20 in. lbs.)
Pinion Bearing Preload - New Bearings 2.8-5.1 N´m (25-45 in. lbs.)
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft. Lbs. In. Lbs.
Fill Hole Plug 34 25 -
Differential Cover Bolts 47 35 -
Bearing Cap Bolts 108 80 -
Ring Gear Bolt 298 220 -
Pinion Nut 637-678 470-500 -
Axle Shaft Bolts 128 95 -
Trac-LocTCase Bolts 122-136 90-100 -
* Hub Bearing Nut 163-190 120-140 -
* Torque to spec. then back off nut 1/8 to 1/3 turn and install locking wedge.
SPECIAL TOOLS
REAR AXLE - 286 RBI
Puller, Hub 6790
Wrench DD-1241-JD
Installer 5064
Installer C-4308
3 - 120 REAR AXLE - 286RBIBR/BE
REAR AXLE - 286RBI (Continued)

AXLE SHAFTS
REMOVAL
(1) Remove the axle shaft flange bolts.
(2) Slide the axle shaft out from the axle tube.
INSTALLATION
(1) Clean the gasket contact surface area on the
flange with an appropriate solvent. Install a new
flange gasket and slide the axle shaft into the tube.
(2) Install the bolts and tighten to 129 N´m (95 ft.
lbs.).
AXLE BEARINGS
REMOVAL
(1) Remove wheel and tire assembly.
(2) Remove brake drum.
(3) Remove the axle shaft.
(4) Remove the lock wedge and adjustment nut.
Remove adjustment nut with Socket DD-1241-JD.
(5) Remove the hub assembly. The outer axle bear-
ing will slide out as the hub is being removed.
(6) Drive grease seal and inner bearing out of the
hub with Installer 5064 and Handle C-4171.
(7) Remove bearing cups from the hub with a
brass drift and a hammer.
INSTALLATION
(1) Thoroughly clean both axle bearings and inte-
rior of the hub with an appropriate cleaning solvent.
(2) Install bearing cups with Installer 8153 and
Handle C-4171.
(3) Pack inner and outer bearings with Mopar
wheel bearing grease or equivalent
(4) Apply lubricant to surface area of the bearing
cup.
(5) Install inner axle bearing in the hub.
(6) Install anewbearing grease seal with
Installer 8152 and Handle C-4171.
(7) Inspect bearing and seal contact surfaces on
the axle tube spindle for burrs and/or roughness.
Remove all the rough contact surfaces from the axle
spindle.
CAUTION: Do not let grease seal contact the axle
tube threads during installation.
(8) Carefully slide the hub onto the axle.
(9) Install outer axle bearing.
(10) Install hub bearing adjustment nut with
Socket DD-1241±JD.
(11) Tighten adjustment nut to 163-190 N´m (120-
140 ft. lbs.) while rotating the wheel.(12) Loosen adjustment nut 1/8 of-a-turn to pro-
vide 0.001-inch to 0.010-inch wheel bearing end play.
(13) Tap the locking wedge into the spindle key-
way and adjustment nut.
NOTE: Locate locking wedge in a new position in
the adjustment nut.
(14) Install axle shaft and brake drum.
(15) Install wheel and tire assembly.
PINION SEAL
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Mark the universal joint, pinion yoke, and pin-
ion shaft for installation reference.
(3) Disconnect the propeller shaft from the pinion
yoke. Secure the propeller shaft in an upright posi-
tion to prevent damage to the rear universal joint.
(4) Remove wheel and tire assemblies.
(5) Remove brake calipers to prevent any drag.
The drag may cause a false bearing preload torque
measurement.
(6) Rotate pinion yoke three or four times.
(7) Record the amount of torque necessary to
rotate the pinion gear with an inch pound dial-type
torque wrench.
(8) Hold the yoke with Holder 6719A and remove
the pinion shaft nut and washer.
(9) Remove yoke from the pinion with Remover
C-452 (Fig. 22).
(10) Remove pinion shaft seal with suitable pry
tool or slide-hammer mounted screw.
Fig. 22 Yoke Removal
1 - PINION YOKE
2 - REMOVER
BR/BEREAR AXLE - 286RBI 3 - 123

INSTALLATION
(1) Clean the seal contact surface in the housing
bore.
(2) Apply a light coating of gear lubricant on the
lip of pinion seal.
(3) Installnewpinion shaft seal with an appropri-
ate Installer.
(4) Position pinion yoke on the end of the shaft
with the reference marks aligned.
(5) Install the yoke with Installer D-191 and Yoke
Holder 6719A (Fig. 23).
(6) Install the pinion yoke washer and nut.
(7) Hold pinion yoke with Yoke Holder 6719A and
tighten shaft nut to 597 N´m (440 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 24).
Rotate pinion shaft several revolutions to ensure the
bearing rollers are seated.
(8) Rotate pinion shaft using an inch pound torque
wrench. Rotating resistance torque should be equal
to the reading recorded, plus a small amount for the
drag the new seal will have (Fig. 25).
NOTE: The bearing rotating torque should be con-
stant during a complete revolution of the pinion. If
the rotating torque varies, this indicates a binding
condition.
(9) Install propeller shaft with the installation ref-
erence marks aligned.
(10) Install the brake calipers.(11) Add gear lubricant to the differential housing,
if necessary.
Fig. 23 Pinion Yoke Installation
1 - INSTALLER
2 - YOKE HOLDER
Fig. 24 Tightening Pinion Shaft Nut
1 - DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING
2 - YOKE HOLDER
3 - TORQUE WRENCH
Fig. 25 Pinion Rotating Torque
1 -TORQUE WRENCH
2 - PINION YOKE
3 - 124 REAR AXLE - 286RBIBR/BE
PINION SEAL (Continued)

(12) Fill the differential with Mopar Hypoid Gear
Lubricant or equivalent to bottom of the fill plug
hole.
(13) Install fill hole plug and tighten to 34 N´m (25
ft. lbs.).
(14) Remove support and lower vehicle.
DIFFERENTIAL - TRAC-LOK
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - TRAC-LOKT
The most common problem is a chatter noise when
turning corners. Before removing a Trac-lokŸ unit
for repair, drain, flush and refill the axle with the
specified lubricant. A container of Mopar Trac-lokŸ
Lubricant (friction modifier) should be added after
repair service or during a lubricant change.
After changing the lubricant, drive the vehicle and
make 10 to 12 slow, figure-eight turns. This maneu-
ver will pump lubricant through the clutches. This
will correct the condition in most instances. If the
chatter persists, clutch damage could have occurred.
DIFFERENTIAL TEST
The differential can be tested without removing the
differential case by measuring rotating torque. Make
sure brakes are not dragging during this measure-
ment.
(1) Place blocks in front and rear of both front
wheels.
(2) Raise one rear wheel until it is completely off
the ground.
(3) Engine off, transmission in neutral, and park-
ing brake off.
(4) Remove wheel and bolt Special Tool 6790 or
equivalent tool to studs.
(5) Use torque wrench on special tool to rotate
wheel and read rotating torque.
(6) If rotating torque is less than 22 N´m (30 ft.
lbs.) or more than 271 N´m (200 ft. lbs.) on either
wheel the unit should be serviced.
DISASSEMBLY
The Trac-Loktdifferential on this axle has a one-
piece cross shaft and uses one dished disc, regular 5
disc and 7 plates.
NOTE: Pay attention to the clutch pack arrangement
during disassembly. Note the direction of the con-
cave and convex side of the plates and discs.
(1) Mark the ring gear half and cover half for
installation reference (Fig. 35).
(2) Remove case attaching bolts and remove the
button cover half (Fig. 36).
(3) Remove top clutch pack.
(4) Remove top side gear clutch ring.(5) Remove top side gear.
(6) Remove pinion mate gears and cross shaft.
(7) Remove the same parts listed above from the
ring gear flange half of the case. Keep these parts
Fig. 35 CASE MARKED
1 - REFERENCE MARKS
Fig. 36 COVER HALF REMOVAL
1 - CLUTCH PLATES
2 - BUTTON HALF
3 - FLANGE HALF
3 - 128 REAR AXLE - 286RBIBR/BE
DIFFERENTIAL (Continued)

Fig. 39 CLUTCH PACK
1 - CLUTCH PACK
2 - SIDE GEAR
3 - PINION GEARS AND MATE SHAFT
4 - ALIGNMENT MARKS
Fig. 40 CASE HALF BOLTS
1 - FIXTURE
2 - CASE BOLTS
3 - TORQUE WRENCH
Fig. 41 DIFFERENTIAL CASE BEARING
1 - BRIDGE
2 - SPLITTER
3 - DIFFERENTIAL
Fig. 42 CASE BEARING INSTALLER
1 - HANDLE
2 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
3 - BEARING
4 - INSTALLER
3 - 130 REAR AXLE - 286RBIBR/BE
DIFFERENTIAL CASE BEARINGS (Continued)

(10) Check bearing rotating torque with an inch
pound torque wrench (Fig. 54). Pinion rotating torque
should be:
²Original Bearings: 1 to 3 N´m (10 to 20 in. lbs.).
²New Bearings: 2.8 to 5.1 N´m (25 to 45 in. lbs.).
(11) If rotating torque is less than the desired
rotating torque, remove the pinion yoke and decrease
the thickness of the solid shim pack if greater
increase shim pack. Changing the shim pack thick-
ness by 0.025 mm (0.001 in.) will change the rotating
torque approximately 0.9 N´m (8 in. lbs.).
(12) Invert the differential case.
(13) Position exciter ring on differential case and
tap onto the case with a brass drift slowly and
evenly.
(14) Invert differential case and start two ring
gear bolts. This will provide case-to-ring gear bolt
hole alignment.
(15) Invert the differential case in the vise.
(16) Installnewring gear bolts and alternately
tighten to 298 N´m (220 ft. lbs.) (Fig. 55).
CAUTION: Never reuse the ring gear bolts. The
bolts can fracture causing extensive damage.
(17) Install differential in housing and verify gear
mesh and contact pattern.
Fig. 53 PINION YOKE
1 - INSTALLER
2 - HOLDERFig. 54 Pinion Rotating Torque
1 -TORQUE WRENCH
2 - PINION YOKE
Fig. 55 RING GEAR BOLT
1 - TORQUE WRENCH
2 - RING GEAR BOLT
3 - RING GEAR
4 - CASE
3 - 134 REAR AXLE - 286RBIBR/BE
PINION GEAR/RING GEAR/TONE RING (Continued)