Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 560

1. Apply a thin coat of hydrated ferric oxide or equivalent to the drive and coast side of the ring gear teeth.  

2. Wrap, twist and hold a shop towel around the pinion yoke to increase the turning resistance of the pinion. 

This will provide a more distinct contact pattern.  

3. With a boxed end wrench on a ring gear bolt, rotate the differential case one complete revolution in both 

directions while a load is being applied from shop towel.  

The areas on the ring gear teeth with the greatest degree of contact against the pinion teeth will squeegee the 
compound to the areas with the least amount of contact. Note and compare patterns on the ring gear teeth to 
Gear Tooth Contact Patterns chart and adjust pinion depth and gear backlash as necessary. 

Fig. 100: Pattern Interpretation (Gear Cut 2 Axis) 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

DIFFERENTIAL BEARING PRELOAD CHECK 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 DRIVELINE Differential & Driveline - Nitro

  

Fig. 101: Pinion Rotation Torque & Inch Pound Torque Wrench 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

With an inch pound torque wrench (2) measure Total Torque To Rotate (TTTR). This is the final check on the 
differential assembly before installing the axle shafts. This will verify the correct differential bearing preload. 

Total Torque to Rotate is, Pinion Torque To Rotate (PTTR) plus: 

Gear Ratio 3.21: 0.34 - 1.24 N.m (3 - 10.9 in. lbs.)  

Gear Ratio 3.55: 0.48 - 0.78 N.m (4.2 - 6.9 in. lbs.)  

Gear Ratio 3.73: 0.45 - 0.75 N.m (3.9 - 6.6 in. lbs.) 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 DRIVELINE Differential & Driveline - Nitro

  

SPECIFICATIONS 

FRONT AXLE - 186FIA 

AXLE SPECIFICATIONS 

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS 

SPECIAL TOOLS 

FRONT AXLE - 186FIA 

NOTE:

If TTTR is high, decrease the shim thickness equally on both sides of the 
differential and check TTTR again. If TTTR is low, increase the shims thickness 
equally on both sides of the differential and check TTTR again.

DESCRIPTION 

SPECIFICATION 

Axle Ratio

3.21/3.55/3.73

Ring Gear Diameter

186 mm (7.33 in.)

Ring Gear Backlash

0.12 - 0.20 mm (0.005 - 

0.008 in.)

Pinion Torque To Rotate: 

Original Bearings

1 - 2.2 N.m (10 - 20 in. lbs.)

Pinion Torque To Rotate: 

New Bearings

1.7 - 2.8 N.m (15 - 25 in. 

lbs.)

Total Torque To Rotate is Pinion Torque To Rotate plus: -

Gear Ratio 3.21

0.53 - 0.87 N.m (4.6 - 7.7 in. 

lbs.)

Gear Ratio 3.55

0.48 - 0.78 N.m (4.2 - 6.9 in. 

lbs.)

Gear Ratio 3.73

0.45 - 0.75 N.m (3.9 - 6.6 in. 

lbs.)

DESCRIPTION 

N.m 

Ft. Lbs. 

In. Lbs. 

Ring Gear Bolts

108

80

-

Differential Bearing Cap 

Bolts

54 - 68

39 - 50

-

Drain Trough Nut

23

-

200

Differential Cover Bolts

19 - 26

14 - 19

-

Pinion Nut

217 - 352

160 - 260

-

Rear Axle Bracket Bolts

88

65

-

Front Axle Brackets To 

Frame Nut

61

45

-

Front Axle Bracket to 

Axle Nuts

61

45

-

Right Axle Bracket Nut

61

45

-

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 DRIVELINE Differential & Driveline - Nitro

  

Fig. 102: Puller C-293-PA 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 DRIVELINE Differential & Driveline - Nitro