Jeep Wrangler TJ. Manual - part 238
at the outer-end. The ROOT of the gear tooth is the
lowest portion of the tooth (Fig. 22).
NOTE: If the PROFILE across the tooth is the same
it is a 3 Axis cut gear. If the PROFILE across the
tooth is tapered it is a 2 Axis cut gear.
(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 pat-
tern.
(3) Using 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 squee-
gee 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 (Fig.
23) and (Fig. 24) and adjust pinion depth and gear
backlash as necessary.
DIFFERENTIAL BEARING PRELOAD CHECK
The final check on the differential assembly before
installing the axles is torque to rotate pinion and dif-
ferential combined. This will verify the correct differ-
ential bearing preload.
Torque to rotate the differential and pinion should
be the torque to rotate the pinion plus 0.79-1.24 N·m
(7-11 in. lbs.).
Fig. 21 BACKLASH SHIM ADJUSTMENT
Fig. 22 GEAR DESCRIPTION
1 - TOP LAND
2 - PROFILE
3 - TOE
4 - HEEL
5 - ROOT
TJ
REAR AXLE - 216RBI
3 - 129
REAR AXLE - 216RBI (Continued)