STEERING AXLE.

NOTE

Do not change total thickness of axle

differential bearing preload adjustment, the ring gear and

housing gaskets used, once preload has

pinion backlash adjustment, and the tooth contact

been established. Merely exchange them

adjustment. Pinion backlash is to be 0. 006 to 0. 012

from side to side to make adjustment.

inch.

(d) Repeat (a) and (b) above to check results of

(1) Adjust differential bearing preload to between 0.

adjustment.

005 inch and 0. 008 inch as follows:

(e) If marks in red lead compare with those in view

(a) With bearing cones in place, install both axle

B, Figure 6-3, reverse adjustment procedure in (c) above

housing (Figure 6-1) to differential housing, with

and recheck adjustment.

differential assembly installed. Use about 0. 030 inch

total gaskets at each side initially.

(f) To correct condition shown in view C, Figure 6-3,

perform (c) and (d) above.

(b) Turn ring gear by hand, testing for noticeable

drag, due to preload on bearings. If no drag exists,

(g) To correct condition shown in view D, Figure 6-3,

reverse (a) above and remove gaskets one at a time and

reverse procedure in (c) above, and recheck adjustment.

repeat test until drag is noticed. Gaskets 0. 005 inch

thick and gaskets 0.

0075 inch thick are used.

f. Installation. Install drive axle by reversing procedure

Decrease total gasket thickness in 0. 0025 inch steps by

indicated in a. above.

removing two 0. 005 inch gaskets and installing one 0.

0075 inch gasket.

6-16. STEERING AXLE.

a. Removal.

procedure for decreasing gasket thickness in (b) above

until no drag is present, then decrease thickness to get

(1) Jack or hoist truck high enough to provide

drag. Preload is now between 0. 000 and 0. 0025 inch.

enough space in which to work. Block truck so it cannot

Remove one more 0. 005 inch gasket to get specified

fall after being raised.

preload.

(2) Disconnect power booster cylinder and drag link

(2) Adjust ring gear and pinion relationship after

from steering axle. (Paragraphs 6-25 and 6-26).

performing (1) above, as follows:

(3) If steering axle is raised from ground, support it

NOTE

against falling when the attaching parts are removed in

Several adjustments of both pinion and

the next step. The flat retainer bars across the bottom of

ring gear setting may

necessary

each neoprene axle block are now the only items holding

before the correct adjustment is achieved.

the axle in place. Remove the two nuts, washers and

It is not possible to specify the exact

screws holding each retainer bar in place and remove

thickness of gaskets to be added, removed,

the retainer bars. Axle is now free of the truck when

or exchanged at any stage. This must be

lowered.

determined by trial and error.

(4) Lower axle, or hoist truck, to get clearance and

(a) Apply a thin coating of oiled red lead to drive face

roll axle from beneath truck.

of teeth of ring gear, and install pinion with bearing and

cover assembled to differential housing. Put heavy drag

b. Disassembly.

on ring gear, and turn it one revolution in the forward

direction by turning pinion.

(1) Dismount complete wheel and tire assembly

(paragraph 6-17).

(b) Remove pinion and cover, and compare contact

marks made in red lead on ring gear teeth with examples

(2) Remove small retainer plate under each king pin,

shown in Figure 6-3.

take king pin out of axle from the bottom, and remove

the steering knuckle at each side of the axle. Do not

NOTE

remove the king pin bearings from the axle unless new

Ring gear is on left side of pinion.

bearings are to be installed, but take care to keep them

References to follow consider this.

clean until reassembly of the axle.

(3) Remove screws, washers, support plate and axle

Figure 6-3, indicating high, narrow tooth contact (pinion

blocks.

too far out), correct by removing one or more gaskets

from under cover, and transferring one or more gaskets

as indicated by the degree of adjustment needed, from

left side of housing to right side.