Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 558

Fig. 92: Pinion Rotation Torque & Inch Pound Torque Wrench 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

16. Install pinion gear in the housing. Install the pinion flange (1) and establish pinion torque to rotate with an 

inch pound torque wrench (2). 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 DRIVELINE Differential & Driveline - Nitro

  

Fig. 93: Identifying Bearing Caps & Snug Bearing Cap Bolts 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

17. Install differential case and Dummy Bearings D-348 in the housing.  

18. Install a single dummy shim in the ring gear side. Install bearing caps (1) and tighten bearing cap bolts (3) 

snug. 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 DRIVELINE Differential & Driveline - Nitro

  

Fig. 94: Identifying Dial Indicator, Pinion Gear & Ring Gear 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

19. Seat ring gear side dummy bearing.  

20. Position the dial indicator (1) plunger on a flat surface between the ring gear (3) bolt heads.  

21. Push and hold differential case toward pinion gear (2) and zero dial indicator (1). 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 DRIVELINE Differential & Driveline - Nitro

  

Fig. 95: Identifying Ring Gear Side Dial Indicator, Differential Case & Ring Gear Side 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

22. Push and hold differential case (2) to ring gear side (3) of the housing and record ring gear side dial 

indicator (1) reading. Add 3 mm (0.118 in.) one dummy shim thickness to ring gear side reading.  

23. Subtract backlash specification 0.076 mm (0.003 in.) from total ring gear side reading for ring gear 

backlash. This is the shim needed on the ring gear side of the differential. 

EXAMPLE: Ring Gear Side Dial Indicator Reading + One Dummy Shim 3 mm (0.118 in.) - Backlash 
Specification 0.076 mm (0.003 in.) = Ring Gear Side Shim 

24. Subtract ring gear shim total from preload shim total thickness. The remainder is the shim thickness 

needed on the pinion side of the differential. 

EXAMPLE : Total Differential Shim - Ring Gear Side Shim = Pinion Gear Side Shim 

25. Rotate dial indicator out of the way on pilot stud.  

26. Remove differential case and dummy bearings from the housing.  

27. Install side bearings and cups on differential case. 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 DRIVELINE Differential & Driveline - Nitro