Adjusting Backlash: Notes

Position of ring gear in transmission housing.

Drive pinion installed with shim S3
Differential installed with shims "S1*" and "S2*"

Insert differential in final drive housing, install cover and tighten all bolts to 25 Nm.

Turn differential 5 rotations in each direction to seat the tapered roller bearing.

Install measuring tools. See Fig 1.

Fig 1: Installing Ring Gear Backlash Measuring Tools

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, INC.

Use VW382/10 extension pin, 6 mm. See Fig 1.

Set VW388 measuring lever to dimension "a" = 60 mm. See Fig 1.

Determine backlash between teeth flanks as follows:

Turn ring gear until it contacts a tooth flank (end of backlash travel).
Set dial indicator to 0 with 1 mm preload.

Turn ring gear back until it contacts opposite tooth flank (backlash).

Read backlash and note.

Turn ring gear 90° every time and repeat measurement 3 times.

NOTE: If measurements vary more than 0.06 mm from each other, ring gear or gear set is not installed correctly. Check installation, replace gear set if necessary.