Ring Gear Pattern Help

fosgate3 · Apr 20, 2019

Hi. I spent most of the day changing the carrier bearings, ring gear, pinion, and pinion bearings in my 2004 Dodge Ram RWD, 5.7. The ring gear and pinion are Yukon, 3.9 ratio; the bearings are all Timken.

I got my preload set on the pinion according to the info that came with the Yukon kit. I also got the backlash done and then did my first gear pattern to see where things stand. I was wondering if I could get some feed back on my pattern so I know what to do next.

Thank you in advance!

Pull Ya · Apr 20, 2019

I'd contact Tach_tech--a member on the forum. He is a Ram tech and may be able to give you some advice.
Jay

fosgate3 · Apr 21, 2019

Thank you. I will send him a message now.

CVX20 · Apr 21, 2019

Did you set the pinion depth?You have to start there with a new crown and pinion.You can't compensate for the wrong depth.The ring gear has to be carefully torqued also.

fosgate3 · Apr 21, 2019

The ring gear is torqued.

As for pinion depth, the original only had a crush sleeve and no shims so I put in a new crush sleeve and tightened it down until I was within the specs provided by Yukon (14-19 inch pounds).

The spec sheet that came from Yukon also mentions a "ORM shim depth" but as stated, there were no shims in the diff when I took it apart. There were large shims that came with the kit but I had/have no idea what to do with them since I didn't take any out.

I purchased a crush sleeve eliminator with all this but I can't seem to get the lateral play out of the pinion gear when I use it--it still moves in and out even after tightening it as much as I can. I already broke a breaker bar and ratchet doing it.

fosgate3 · Apr 21, 2019

The larger shims that came with the kit are about the same size as the larger pinion bearing. Should they be placed between the gear and the bearing?

Tach_tech · Apr 21, 2019

This a good chart to keep on hand. I’d say you need a thicker pinion shim.

The pinion shim goes between the bearing and pinion gear.

fosgate3 · Apr 21, 2019

Thank you for the chart. I will use it.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized my mistake. I pulled the bearing and put in shims to match the OEM thickness indicated by Yukon (.032"). I just got the pinion back on and my preload is perfectly within the parameters from Yukon (14-19 inch pounds... mine is around 17). Going to get something to drink and then put the carrier in, do the backlash, and then the gear pattern again. I will report back when I get a new pattern.

fosgate3 · Apr 21, 2019

How does this look like for a pattern? It seems to look a lot like the first example in that chart. The backlash is set at 7.5 (5-9 was the range according to Yukon).

Tach_tech · Apr 21, 2019

Looks a lot better. Try mixing a little gear oil with the marking compound, it will show the pattern better. I’ll usually use a wrench on one of the ring gear bolts and rock the carrier back and forth quickly as well to help show the pattern.

Should be good to go though.

fosgate3 · Apr 21, 2019

I added some oil to the marking compound...it's much more pronounced now. What say you?

Tach_tech · Apr 21, 2019

As long as backlash, pinion rotation torque is in spec. Good to go, send it!

fosgate3 · Apr 21, 2019

Thank you sir! I appreciate your assistance more than you know!

Pull Ya · Apr 21, 2019

That chart needs to be a "sticky" somewhere. IMHO I did a screenshot of it--Thanks
Jay

fosgate3 · Apr 22, 2019

I know a small amount of lateral play is acceptable with the rear axle shafts but is it okay to have no play at all? I had to replace one of the shafts so there's one that's new and one that's original. When I put the pin in, everything is tight and there's no movement (play) anywhere. I can turn the axles fine...nothing is binding. Just wondering if there has to be any play at all.

fosgate3 · Apr 23, 2019

bump?

Tach_tech · Apr 23, 2019

I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s likely just due to the new axle shaft. Nothing to worry about.

fosgate3 · Apr 23, 2019

Cool. Thanks!

Ring Gear Pattern Help

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