2003 DODGE RAM lock

(8) Slowly slide the scooter block across the pinion
height block over to the arbor (Fig. 4). Move the
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. 5).
(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 (Fig. 6) until they make contact with the differ-
ential 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 def-
erential bearings.(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.
Fig. 4 PINION GEAR DEPTH MEASUREMENT
1 - ARBOR
2 - SCOOTER BLOCK
3 - DIAL INDICATOR
Fig. 5 ADJUSTER LOCK BOLT
1 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
2 - ADJUSTER LOCK
3 - ADJUSTER LOCK BOLT
4 - BEARING CAP BOLT
Fig. 6 ADJUSTER SPANNER WRENCH
1 - WRENCH
2 - DIFFERENTIAL
DRREAR AXLE - 10 1/2 AA 3 - 105
REAR AXLE - 10 1/2 AA (Continued)

(12) Tighten bearing cap bolts to 115 N´m (85 ft.
lbs.).
(13) Tighten adjuster lock bolts to 33 N´m (24 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. 7).
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 shorten 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 specifica-
tion.
(4) Apply parking brakes lightly to create at 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 correct (Fig. 8). Backlash
and pinion depth is correct.
²Ring gear too far away from pinion gear (Fig. 9).
Decrease the backlash, by moving the ring closer to
the pinion gear using the adjusters.
²Ring gear too close to pinion gear (Fig. 10).
Increase the backlash, by moving the ring away from
the pinion gear using the adjusters.
Fig. 7 RING GEAR BACKLASH
1 - DIAL INDICATOR
2 - RING GEAR
Fig. 8 CORRECT CONTACT PATTERN
Fig. 9 INCORRECT BACKLASH
1 - COAST SIDE TOE
2 - DRIVE SIDE HEEL
Fig. 10 INCORRECT BACKLASH
1 - DRIVE SIDE TOE
2 - COAST SIDE HEEL
3 - 106 REAR AXLE - 10 1/2 AADR
REAR AXLE - 10 1/2 AA (Continued)

SPECIFICATIONS
AXLE SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION SPECIFICATION
Axle Ratio 3.73, 4.10
Ring Gear Diameter 266 mm (10.5 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 + Diff Case Bearing Preload -
New Bearings3.4-5.6 N´m (30-50 in. lbs.)
Pinion Bearing Preload + Diff Case Bearing Preload -
Original Bearings2.8-5.1 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 165 122 -
Ring Gear Bolts 237 175 -
Axle Flange Bolts 129 95 -
Adjuster Lock Bolt 25 18 -
SPECIAL TOOLS
DIAL INDICATOR SET C-3339
DIAL INDICATOR STUD L-4438
HANDLE C-4171
SPLITTER 1130
3 - 108 REAR AXLE - 10 1/2 AADR
REAR AXLE - 10 1/2 AA (Continued)

BRIDGE 938
PINION DEPTH GAUGE 6730
GAUGE BLOCK 8899
ARBOR DISCS 6732
PULLER C-293-PA
ADAPTERS 8879
ADJUSTER WRENCH 8883
BEARING INSTALLER 8956
DRREAR AXLE - 10 1/2 AA 3 - 109
REAR AXLE - 10 1/2 AA (Continued)

AXLE SHAFTS
REMOVAL
(1) Remove axle shaft flange bolts (Fig. 15).
(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.).
SEAL INSTALLER 8896
SEAL INSTALLER 8963
CUP INSTALLER 8962
BEARING INSTALLER MD-998805
SOCKET 8954
Fig. 15 AXLE FLANGE BOLTS
1 - AXLE FLANGE
2 - FLANGE BOLT
DRREAR AXLE - 10 1/2 AA 3 - 111
REAR AXLE - 10 1/2 AA (Continued)

AXLE BEARINGS
REMOVAL
(1) Remove axle shaft flange bolts and remove axle
shaft.
(2) Remove retianer ring (Fig. 16) from the axle
shaft tube.
(3) Remove hub bearing nut locking key (Fig. 17).(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. 18). 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
8962 and Handle C-4171.
(3) Pack bearings with the appropriate 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. 19).
(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
(0.001-0.010 in.).
(8) Install retainer ring with ring end in the key
slot.
(9) Install new axle shaft gasket and install axle
shaft.
Fig. 16 RETAINER RING
1 - RETAINER RING
2 - LOCKING KEY
3 - BEARING NUT
Fig. 17 LOCKING KEY
1 - BEARING NUT
2 - LOCKING KEY
3 - AXLE TUBE
Fig. 18 INNER PART OF SEAL
1-PRYBAR
2 - AXLE TUBE
3 - REMAINING SEAL
3 - 112 REAR AXLE - 10 1/2 AADR

REMOVAL
(1) Remove lubricant fill hole plug from the differ-
ential housing cover.
(2) Remove differential housing cover and drain
the lubricant from housing.
(3) Remove axle shafts.
(4) Remove adjuster lock bolts and adjuster locks
(Fig. 27).
(5) Mark bearing caps left and right for installa-
tion reference.
(6) Remove bearing cap bolts and remove bearing
caps.(7) Loosen differential bearing adjusters (Fig. 28)
with Spanner Wrench 8883.
(8) Remove differential case from the housing.
(9) Remove bearing cups and tag them left and
right for installation reference.
DISASSEMBLY
(1)Remove pinion shaft with a hammer and punch
from the side with the hole in the pinion shaft (Fig. 29).
Fig. 26 DIFFERENTIAL-ON TURNS
1 - PINION GEARS ROTATE ON PINION SHAFT
Fig. 27 ADJUSTER LOCKS
1 - LOCK BOLT
2 - ADJUSTER LOCK
3 - ADJUSTER
4 - BEARING CAP
Fig. 28 BEARING ADJUSTERS
1 - BEARING CUP
2 - ADJUSTER
3 - BEARING CUP
4 - ADJUSTER
Fig. 29 PINION SHAFT
1 - PINION GEAR
2 - PINION SHAFT
3 - RING GEAR
4 - EXCITER RING
DRREAR AXLE - 10 1/2 AA 3 - 115
DIFFERENTIAL (Continued)

(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 Bearings6 Adjuster Holes
²Original Bearings4 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 165 N´m (122 ft.
lbs.).
(16) Tighten adjuster lock bolts to 25 N´m (18 ft.
lbs.) (Fig. 37).
(17) Measure ring gear backlash and check gear
tooth contact pattern. Refer to Adjustments for pro-
cedure.
(18) Install axle shafts.
(19) Install differential housing gasket and cover.
Tighten cover bolts to 40 N´m (30 ft. lbs.).
(20) Fill axle with lubricant, refer to Lubrication &
Maintenance for capacity and lubricant type.
(21) Install fill plug and tighten to 32 N´m (24 ft.
lbs.).DIFFERENTIAL TRAC-RITE
DESCRIPTION
The Trac-RiteŸ differential is a helical gear differ-
ential. The differential has two side gears, six pinion
gears and six pinion brake shoes.
NOTE: The differential is seviced as an assembly
only if damaged, but can be disassembled for
cleaning. The assembly should be cleaned every
time a bearing is changed due to damage.
OPERATION
When one wheel begins to spin the pinion gears on
that side are forced toward the pinion brake shoes.
The pinion brake shoes then cause frictional drag on
the opposite pinion gears and the side gear. These
friction forces transfer the power to the opposite
wheel. Once the frictional forces are overcome, differ-
entiation will occur. The torque will be continually
biased by the frictional forces to the high traction
wheel.
DISASSEMBLY
(1) Remove differential ring gear bolts.
(2) Remove differential case cover locating screws
(Fig. 38).
(3) Remove differential case cover.
(4) Remove side gear and thrust washer (Fig. 39).
Fig. 37 ADJUSTER LOCK BOLT
1 - DIFFERENTIAL CASE
2 - ADJUSTER LOCK
3 - ADJUSTER LOCK BOLT
4 - BEARING CAP BOLT
Fig. 38 LOCATION SCREWS
1 - DIFFERENTIAL COVER
2 - LOCATION SCREWS
3 - 118 REAR AXLE - 10 1/2 AADR
DIFFERENTIAL (Continued)