Differential Ring and Pinion Gear Setup

See how to set up a ring and pinion gear set.

TIMELINE:
0:00 Introduction
0:22 Pinion gear examples
0:40 Pinion bearing locations
0:48 Oil splash shield and seal
0:50 Pinion flange
0:54 Pinion nut
0:58 Bearing preload control
1:33 Measuring bearing preload with rotational torque
3:10 Crush sleeve style preload control
4:55 Learn the parts of the differential case
5:18 Side bearing preload control
5:35 Side bearing shims and shims
8:13 Two purposes of the side bearing shims
8:18 1. Side bearing preload
8:24 2. Ring gear backlash
8:53 Side bearing cap installation
9:50 Total turning preload setup and measurement
11:52 Preparing to measure backlash
12:18 Set up dial indicator for backlash
12:48 Measuring backlash
13:23 Backlash variation warning
14:40 Face Hobbed ring and pinion gear sets
15:15 Face Milled ring and pinion gear sets
16:30 Preparation for painting the gear teeth for a contact pattern check
16:55 Pinion depth shim purpose
18:35 Differential Side gear set backlash check
19:20 Convex Drive side of the tooth
19:27 Concave Coast side of the tooth
19:45 Adjusting backlash
21:00 Gear marking compounds
21:40 Loaded contact pattern check
24:16 Interpreting the contact pattern
24:32 Drive side interpretation
25:10 Coast side interpretation
25:50 Examples of incorrect contact patterns
26:00 Heel, Toe, Coast, Drive terminology
26:20 Toe-Toe = Backlash too small
26:30 Heel-Heel = Backlash too large
26:45 Toe-Heel = Pinion depth is too high (decrease pinion shim thickness)
27:07 Heel-Toe = Pinion depth too low (increase shim thickness)
27:40 Contact pattern tells you if your setup is correct or not

ABOUT US:
Weber State University (WSU) - Automotive Technology Department - Transmission Lab. Toyota Tundra 10.5" Rear Differential Ring and Pinion Gear setup. See how to set up a ring and pinion gear set. This differential is typically used in the 2007 and newer Toyota Tundra with the 5.7L Engine. This differential uses a removable differential housing, but the setup is similar to other one-piece housing differentials used by other trucks. Be sure to watch our Differential Side Gear Backlash video for complete setup information.

This video helps demonstrate part of the following 2017 NATEF MAST Tasks:
A3.E.1.8 " Measure and adjust drive pinion depth.", a priority 3 task.
A3.E.1.9 " Measure and adjust drive pinion bearing preload.", a priority 3 task.
A3.E.1.10 " Measure and adjust side bearing preload and ring and pinion gear total backlash and backlash variation on a differential carrier assembly (threaded cup or shim types).", a priority 3 task.
A3.E.1.11 " Check ring and pinion tooth contact patterns; perform necessary action.", a priority 3 task.

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[nidalshehahadeh]

I was in the automotive business for over 38 years, I have done plenty of differentials in my days, what you looking at in this YouTube is a textbook differential assembly, this is the way I did it the mechanic shop way the easy way .

1st ; Ring Gear Carrier bearing preload,
the first thing I will do is Ring Gear carrier preload before I even install the pinion gear in the case, I will drop the gear carrier in the case and lightly tighten the bearing caps holding the bearing in place, after installing the Ring Gear and carrier I will use a rubber mallet and smack the front of the ring gear couple times then the back of the Ring Gear couple times making sure that the ring gear adjustment shims have settled in their place, then tighten the bearing cap bolts to specification and check the preload,
at that point I know exactly what size shims I have to use, all what will be left is swapping shims until the right contact point and backlash between the Ring Gear and pinion is achieved .

2nd ; Salvage the old Crush sleeve or shims whatever you're using, install the pinion gear without the oil seal using the old crush sleeve, (unfortunately oil seals on the market are not exactly all the same, and some aftermarket oil seals will apply additional drag on the pinion gear preload adjustment ),
Install the flange yoke ; tighten the pinion gear knot just enough to hold it in place, keep in mind that the new crush sleeve will only give you one chance to get it right, and that's why the use of the old crush sleeve can be extremely helpful, install the ring gear carrier and set the contact point between the ring gear and the pinion gear .

(some Crush sleeves that I had to deal with made out of thin material that would easily Crush, others required extreme pressure before it begins to crush, therefore salvaging the old crush sleeve is an option that might come handy ) .
If the crush sleeve was manufactured out of thick difficult to crush material ? I used to do some measurements and get a rough idea of how much Crush did the job require, then using the hydraulic press reduce the size of the crush sleeve leaving behind a small distance to be crushed after installation in the differential .

therefore adjusting the pinion too ring gear backlash and contact points will be easily achieved without fighting pinion gear preload with the oil seal drag on top of it, if the differential you're working on uses shims instead of a crush sleeve then you are in luck, it is possible to adjust pinion gear preload to specifications without worrying about the final installation in which the oil seal will impose additional drag on the pinion gear preload adjustment, this way after you are done with all of the adjustments you could easily install the oil seal without changing the pinion gear preload .

3rd ; after the final adjustments making sure it is where you want it to be, remove the drive shaft flange yoke off the pinion gear and install the new washers or the crush sleeve, install the new crush sleeve and the bearing then install the seal and the flange yoke, all what you have to do now is get the proper pinion gear preload keeping in mind that the seal is fighting you back .
there was times where the crush sleeve was made from thick material and I had no option except to used the hydraulic press and crushed it to a light preload,
after finishing all the adjustments that was needed, I installed the oil seal and all what's left now is just a small amount of Crush sleeves preload, do not use air impact gun to adjust the Crush sleeves preload, it will crush too fast and you will lose it .

Warning and if you words of caution and good practice .

A used differential will require a larger amount of backlash, for example your dismantling a differential to replace a pinion gear shaft bearings, make sure to measure the amount of backlash on the ring gear and pinion gear before dismantling it, upon reinstallation it is ideal to get the backlash to what it was prior to dismantling it, do not adjust an old used ring gear pinion backlash to the book specs that deals with the new ring gear and pinion, it will be too tight .

[mikeanderson]

i have set several ring and pinions in my days. this guy cuts right to the point. Anyone can set up a rear end after watching this great instructional video. i wish i would have had this type of teaching 42 years ago. when i would just slap stuff in and go do burn outs till it exploded. 2 thumbs up

[mrhupen]

This is by far the best video on the subject. Perfect explanation, very clear audio, well spoken, and great camera quality. By far, I'm blown away at how much I learned. Thank you thank you

[jakedoesitall]

This is one of the best explanation for setting up a rear end. If you still don't understand it after watching the video than you probably shouldn't be doing it. Food for thought

[kjt]

Good job explaining the basics of setting up ring and pinion gear sets. Pay no attention to the goofs below that expect you to put years of experience into a 6 minute Youtube video. I appreciate you sharing your time and knowledge on the subject. 

[rero]

we need more good American like you self sir. I really appreciate your professionalism and how you explain the information, thank you.

[ulilange]

Best tutorial I've ever seen. Generic as it applies to all diffs. Very good explanation of different touch patterns and underlying reasons for deviations.

[cbr]

Without doubt the best teacher I have seen on You Tube. You have inspired me to rebuild the noisy diff on my Nissan instead of taking a chance with a used replacement. Having seen your video I now finally understand the workshop manual.

Many thanks

[piustembengsatanwani]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video. You are a real gentleman with a profound love for your job and willingness to share your knowledge with others. I strongly RECOMMEND and grade this as number 1 video in its category. May God bless you sir for your kindness and generosity. 

[toyotaxcanadaguy]

Not just the first but the only professional differential video I have seen on youtube. Its expensive to do it right because it takes time.

[arosz]

Wow, very thoroughly and professionally explained,
You are a true professional, thank you!

[antanasrapkevicius]

best explanatory video i have seen regarding the differentials. Sure the shown example was the perfect scenario, but there were more than enough info given what to do if you have abnormalities. And if people cant grasp that without being shown, then they really shouldn't rebuild differentials. Every diff is different, with different specs and different methods to adjust things, but the adjustments in principle are exactly the same and were very well explained.

[WeberAuto]

Hi, the shims are selected by setting the side bearing preload first (with the shims) and then by adjusting the backlash (with the same shims). If you have no idea of where to begin, use the original shim thickness and go from there. I tried to explain all of that in the video. I hope that helps.

[jdd]

The only guy that really explained what preload is for and what it will affect

[MrStatic]

Thank you so much this explained the mystery PERFECTLY. Really appreciate you taking the time.

[faronf]

Thanks for sharing this really easy to understand differential gear set up . I know there is many books on this procedure but it's sometimes easier ( like here ) to watch a video demostration than to read through many pages of books that would teach the same thing .

[mohamedelshamy]

wonderful Video set pre-load first after that adjust Backlash finally use Gear marking compound for last confirmation
Sir you are really a Professor warm greetings from Saudi Arabia

[dawoodk]

Young man, hell of a job on your presentation, wish more of the boys these days follow your style and perfection. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. God bless.

[durwoodkirby]

This is THE most informative video on this subject I have ever seen.  Thank You for your great teaching skills!

[togst]

Very informative video! I replaced the planet gears in my car a year ago since the previous owner had welded them stuck. Since I had no proper tools, knowledge and skill to adjust it properly afterwards I sent it to the dealer. A year later, now, it rattles, oil is black and a lot of metal particles. Turns out even the dealer couldn't set it up properly. Expensive lesson for them.