Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 585

Fig. 227: Gauge Tools In Housing 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

3. Install front pinion bearing and Cone-Nut 6740 on the screw. Tighten Cone-Nut until Torque To Rotate 

screw is 1.7 N.m (15 in. lbs.).  

4. Place Arbor Disc 8541 (1) on Arbor D-115-3 (3) in position in the housing side bearing cradles. Install 

differential bearing caps on arbor discs and tighten cap bolts to 41 N.m (30 ft. lbs.). 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 DRIVELINE Differential & Driveline - Nitro

  

Fig. 228: Assembling Dial Indicator C-3339A Into Scooter Block D-115-2A And Securing Set Screw
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

5. Assemble Dial Indicator C-3339A (3) into Scooter Block D-115-2A (2) and secure set screw.  

6. Place Scooter Block/Dial Indicator in position in axle housing so dial probe and scooter block are flush 

against the rearward surface of the pinion height block. Hold scooter block in place and zero the dial 
indicator. Tighten dial indicator face lock screw.  

7. Slowly slide the dial indicator probe over the edge of the pinion height block.  

8. Slide the dial indicator probe across the gap between the pinion height block and the arbor bar (1) with 

the scooter block against the pinion height block. When dial probe contacts the arbor bar, the dial pointer 
will turn clockwise. Continue moving the dial probe to the crest of the arbor bar and record the highest 
reading. If the dial indicator can not achieve a zero reading, the rear bearing cup or the pinion depth gauge
set is not installed correctly.  

9. Select a shim equal to the dial indicator reading, plus the drive pinion gear depth variance number marked 

on the shaft of the pinion. If the depth variance is -2, add 0.002 in. to the dial indicator reading. If the 
depth variance is -2, add 0.002 in. subtract dial indicator reading. Then subtract 0.041 mm (0.0016 in.) 
from the total measurement. This will be the correct pinion height shim selection. 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 DRIVELINE Differential & Driveline - Nitro

  

Fig. 229: Measuring Pinion Torque To Rotating With An Inch Pound Torque Wrench 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

10. Install pinion gear and establish Pinion Torque To Rotate (PTTR) with an inch pound torque wrench (1).  

DIFFERENTIAL BEARING PRELOAD AND GEAR BACKLASH 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 DRIVELINE Differential & Driveline - Nitro

  

Fig. 230: Installing Dial Indicator C-3339A With Plunger Position Against Drive Side Of Ring Gear 
Tooth 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Turn each thread adjuster inward with Wrench C-4164 until differential bearing end-play is eliminate and 

ring gear backlash is approximately 0.25 mm (0.01 in.). Seat bearing cups by rapidly rotating the pinion 
gear a half turn back and forth several times.  

2. Install Dial Indicator C-3339A (1) with plunger position against drive side of a ring gear (2) tooth. 

Measure and record backlash at 4 positions, 90 degrees apart around the ring gear. 

Mark lowest backlash position on the ring gear and make all backlash measurements at this location.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 DRIVELINE Differential & Driveline - Nitro