Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 587

Fig. 235: Identifying Drive Side Heel & Coast Side Heel 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

Ring gear is too far away from the pinion gear, drive side heel (1) coast side heel (2). Decrease backlash 
by moving ring gear closer to the pinion gear using the adjusters.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 DRIVELINE Differential & Driveline - Nitro

  

Fig. 236: Identifying Drive Side Toe & Coast Side Toe 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

Ring gear is too close to the pinion gear, drive side toe (1) coast side toe (2). Increase backlash by moving 
ring gear away from the pinion gear using the adjusters.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 DRIVELINE Differential & Driveline - Nitro

  

Fig. 237: Pinion Gear Is Set Too Low 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

Pinion gear is set too low. Increase pinion gear height, by increasing pinion depth shim thickness.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 DRIVELINE Differential & Driveline - Nitro

  

Fig. 238: Pinion Gear Is Set Too High 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

Pinion gear is set too high. Decrease pinion height by decreasing the pinion depth shim thickness. 

AXLE SHAFT END-PLAY 

Visual inspect differential case, pinion mate shaft, axle shaft end button, C-lock, differential pinion gears, 
differential side gears and washers for damage or excessive wear. Replace damaged components. 

1. Assemble differential and install.  

2. Install differential pinion mate shaft locking screw to locate the shaft without torque it down.  

3. Mount dial indicator base on the axle tube flange.  

4. Push axle shaft inward until its end touches differential pinion mate shaft. Set dial indicator plunger on 

the end of axle shaft flange surface and zero dial indicator.  

5. Pull axle shaft out until it stops and record dial indicator end-play reading. Rotate axle shaft about 180 

degrees and record dial indicator end-play reading again. Two readings should be within 0.05 mm (0.002 
in.).  

6. Conduct the same procedure on the axle shaft on the opposite side. 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 DRIVELINE Differential & Driveline - Nitro