ARB RD166 - Manual (Page 9)

2 Removing the Existing Differential
7
2.5 Checking the Current Backlash Amount
IMPORTANT:
This step is a precautionary measure recommended by ARB due
to the fact that some after market ring and pinion sets have been
manufactured to run with different backlash settings than those
specified by your vehicle manufacturer. Although ARB must
recommend you set backlash according to your service manual
guidelines, we also advise that you compare the backlash
measurements taken here to the recommended backlash settings
in your vehicle service manual. Measurements found to be
outside of your service manual recommendations may indicate
the need to deviate from those settings in order to achieve quiet
running with a good contact mark.
Refer to your vehicle service manual or your local authorized
ARB installer for more information.
F Set a depth indicator on one of the ring gear teeth as in figure 2.
Figure 2.
F While supporting the pinion gear by holding the drive shaft flange,
rotate the differential in both directions while observing the
maximum variation in depth from the indicator (i.e., the highest
value minus the lowest value). This value is referred to as the ring
and pinion backlash.
F Rotate the differential center 90 q and measure again for accuracy.
F Record the average of all measurements.