Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Ring Gear Backlash Adjustment
For information on Ford Color Coded Illustrations, refer to OEM COLOR CODING
Special Tool(s) / General Equipment
| 205-430Collets, Differential Carrier Bearing | TKIT-1999-F/FLM/LT | |
|---|---|
| 205-431Retaining Ring, Differential Carrier Bearing | TKIT-1999-F/FLM/LT | |
| 205-432Step Plate, Differential Carrier Bearing | TKIT-1999-F/FLM/LT | |
| 205-D012 (D80L-630-1)Step Plate | |
| 205-D044 (D81T-4221-A)Installer, Differential Carrier Bearing | |
| 308-052 (T77J-7025-B)Remover/Installer, Bearing Tube | |
| 308-092 (T84T-7025-B)Removal Screw, Bearing Tube | TKIT-1984-F | TKIT-1984-FLM | TKIT-1984-LM | |
| Dial Indicator | |
| Wooden Block | |
| Vise |
Materials
| Name | Specification |
|---|---|
| Motorcraft® High Performance Engine RTV SiliconeTA-357 | WSE-M4G323-A6 |
Activation
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NOTE: Be prepared to collect escaping fluid.
Remove the bolts and the differential housing cover. Drain the lubricant.
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NOTE: Remove all of the silicone gasket and make sure the surfaces are free of oil before applying the new silicone gasket.
Clean the gasket material from the differential housing and the differential housing cover. Refer to: RTV Sealing Surface Cleaning and Preparation .
- Install the dial indicator gauge with holding fixture, with the dial indicator at around 90 degree angle from the ring gear tooth.. Use the General Equipment: Dial Indicator
- Using the dial indicator check the ring gear backlash. Rotate the ring gear and carrier back and forth through the free play only. Refer to: Specifications .
. Use the General Equipment: Dial Indicator
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- To correct for high or low backlash, increase the thickness of one differential bearing shim and decrease the thickness of the other differential bearing shim by the same amount.
- If a zero backlash condition had occurred, add 0.50 mm (0.020 in) to the RH side shim and subtract 0.50 mm (0.020 in) from the LH side shim to allow a backlash indication. Recheck backlash.
- Using the backlash chart, determine the thickness of differential shim needed: Refer to: Specifications .
- If a backlash correction is to be made, remove the axle shafts. Refer to: Axle Shaft .
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NOTE: Prior to removal, note the positioning of the stamped mating letters on the bearing caps and the differential housing for correct reassembly.
Remove the bolts and the bearing caps.
- Using a pry bar and the general equipment, remove the differential assembly from the axle housing.. Use the General Equipment: Wooden Block
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NOTE: Place the component in the vise.
Using the special tools, remove and discard the differential bearings. Use Special Service Tool: 205-430 Collets, Differential Carrier Bearing., 205-431 Retaining Ring, Differential Carrier Bearing., 205-432 Step Plate, Differential Carrier Bearing., 308-052 (T77J-7025-B) Remover/Installer, Bearing Tube., 308-092 (T84T-7025-B) Removal Screw, Bearing Tube.. Use the General Equipment: Vise
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NOTE: Wire the shims together and mark from which side they were removed.
Remove the differential bearing shims.
- Position the differential case with the Dummy Bearing Set into the differential housing.
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NOTE: It is necessary to loosely install the bearing caps and bolts to hold the differential in place.
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.