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.
Checking Ring Gear Backlash
1992 GMC Magnavan 5.7 KSECTION Checking Ring Gear Backlash
- Mount dial indicator on drive axle housing. See Fig 1. Place dial indicator tip at heel end of ring gear tooth. Check backlash at 3 equally spaced locations around ring gear.
- Backlash should be .005-.009" (.13-.23 mm). Ensure variation between points checked is not more than .002" (.05 mm). High backlash is corrected by moving ring gear closer to drive pinion; low backlash is corrected by moving ring gear away from pinion. See Figure.
- To adjust ring gear backlash, remove differential case from housing using housing spreader. Remove both differential case side bearings, and move proper amount of shims from one side to other.
- When backlash adjustment is completed, check ring gear tooth contact pattern. See GEAR TOOTH CONTACT PATTERNS article in the GENERAL INFORMATION section. Pattern should be correct if assembly and adjustments were done properly.
- With differential assembled and correctly adjusted, install new cover gasket and cover. Tighten cover bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table. Install axle shafts. Fill drive axle with lubricant.
RENDER: 1.0x
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.