Tooth Contact

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Infiniti M45. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Checking gear tooth contact pattern is necessary to verify correct relationship between drive gear and drive pinion.

Hypoid gears which are not positioned in proper arrangement may be noisy and/or have a short life. Check gear tooth contact pattern to obtain the best contact for low noise and long life.

Thoroughly clean drive gear and drive pinion teeth.
Lightly apply a mixture of powdered ferric oxide and oil or the equivalent. Apply it to 3 or 4 teeth of drive gear drive side.

Fig 1: Applying Mixture Of Powdered Ferric Oxide & Oil
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Hold companion flange steady by hand and rotate the drive gear in both directions.

Fig 2: Examples Of Tooth Patterns
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.