Dodge Durango

 Service Manual

Differential and Driveline » 8 1/4 And 9 1/4 axle » Removal and installation
Ring gear and exciter ring

NOTE: The ring gear and pinion are serviced in a matched set. Do not replace the ring gear without replacing the pinion.

REMOVAL

(1) Remove differential from axle housing.

(2) Place differential case in a suitable vise with soft metal jaw protectors. (Fig. 25).

(3) Remove bolts holding ring gear to differential case.

Fig. 24 Install Differential Side Bearings-8 1/4 Axle

1 - HANDLE C-4171

2 - DIFFERENTIAL

3 - BEARING

4 - TOOL C-4340

(4) Using a soft hammer, drive ring gear from differential case (Fig. 25).

Fig. 25 Ring Gear Removal

1 - CASE

2 - RING GEAR

3 - RAWHIDE HAMMER

(5) Use a brass drift and slowly tap the exciter ring from the differential case.

INSTALLATION

CAUTION: Do not reuse the bolts that held the ring gear to the differential case. The bolts can fracture causing extensive damage.

(1) Invert the differential case.

(2) Position exciter ring on differential case.

(3) Using a brass drift, slowly and evenly tap the exciter ring into position.

(4) Position ring gear on the differential case and start two ring gear bolts. This will provide case-toring gear bolt hole alignment.

(5) Invert the differential case in the vise.

(6) Install new ring gear bolts and alternately tighten to:

• 102 N*m (75 ft. lbs.) torque (Fig. 26) for 8 1/4 axles.
• 157 N*m (115 ft. lbs.) torque (Fig. 26) for 9 1/4 axles.

(7) Install differential in axle housing and verify gear mesh and contact pattern.

Fig. 26 Ring Gear Bolt Installation

1 - TORQUE WRENCH

2 - RING GEAR BOLT

3 - RING GEAR

4 - CASE

Rear axle

Axle shaft

8 1/4 And 9 1/4 axle seal and bearing

Pinion seal

Differential

Differential side bearings

Ring gear and exciter ring

Pinion gear

Final assembly