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.
Drive Pinion: Adjustment
- Using the ST, install the drive pinion retainer.
Preparation tool:
ST: SOCKET (E20) (18270KA020)
Tightening torque:
43 N.m (4.4 kgf.m, 31.7 ft.lb)
- Rotate the drive pinion several times using ST1 and ST2.
Preparation tool:
ST1: HOLDER (498937110)
ST2: WRENCH (499787700)
- Adjust the hypoid gear set backlash. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Front Differential>ADJUSTMENT .
- Using the ST, remove the drive pinion retainer.
Preparation tool:
ST: SOCKET (E20) (18270KA020)
- Apply lead-free red dye evenly on the both sides of three to four teeth of the driven gear. Then install the drive pinion retainer and rotate the drive pinion in both directions several times. Remove the drive pinion retainer and check the tooth contact pattern.
If the teeth contact is inappropriate, readjust the backlash of hypoid gear or the thickness of the drive pinion shim. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>Front Differential>ADJUSTMENT .
NOTE: After correction, wipe off the lead-free red dye.- Correct tooth contact
Check item: Tooth contact surface is slightly shifted toward the toe side (A) under a no-load condition. (When driving, it moves towards the heel side (B).)
- Face contact
Check item: Backlash is too large .
Contact pattern
Adjustment: Increase thickness of the drive pinion shim according to the procedures for moving the drive pinion closer to the driven gear.
- Flank contact
Check item: Backlash is too small .
Contact pattern
Adjustment: Reduce the thickness of the drive pinion shim according to the procedures for moving the drive pinion away from the driven gear side.
- Toe contact (inside contact)
Check item: Teeth contact area is too small .
Contact pattern
Adjustment: Reduce the thickness of the drive pinion shim according to the procedures for moving the drive pinion away from the driven gear side.
- Heel contact (outside end contact)
Check item: Teeth contact area is too small .
Contact pattern
Adjustment: Increase thickness of the drive pinion shim according to the procedures for moving the drive pinion closer to the driven gear.
- Correct tooth contact
- Using the ST, loosen the differential side retainer until the mounting groove of the O-ring appears, and then install a new O-ring.NOTE:
- When loosening the differential side retainer, record the number of the turns made.
- Perform this for both left and right differential side retainers.
- Apply the differential gear oil to O-ring.
Preparation tool:
ST: WRENCH COMPL RETAINER (18658AA021)
- Using the ST, tighten the differential side retainer to the position before it is loosened.
Preparation tool:
ST: WRENCH COMPL RETAINER (18658AA021)
- Replace the differential side retainer oil seal with a new part. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580)>DIFFERENTIAL SIDE RETAINER OIL SEAL .
- Install the lock plate (A).
Tightening torque:
25 N.m (2.5 kgf.m, 18.4 ft.lb)
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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.