1956 AMC Hudson Technical Service Manual Supplement

REAR AXLE 111
Roll the gears around until the gear holes are aligned with
the differential pinion shaft hole in the case.
The pinion gear shaft is installed with the lock pin hole in
line with the lock pin hole in the differential case.
Install the thrust block through a side gear, aligning the
hole in the block with the differential pinion shaft. Press
differential pinion shaft in place and measure the clearance
between the differential side gear and case. This clearance
should not exceed .008". However, the side gears should not
fit tight enough to require more than eight foot pounds
torque to turn the differential gears. This may be checked by
installing an axle shaft and using a torque wrench to turn the
shaft. Then drive the lock pin into place and upset pin.
Ring Gear Installation
Place the ring gear on the differential case.
Bolt the ring gear to the differential case with cap screws.
In some cases, two of the cap screws installed in opposite
holes may be used as guides to pull the gear into position.
Tighten the cap screws to 50-55 foot pounds torque. Be
certain the ring gear is being pulled down evenly and that
there are no nicks or burrs to prevent the gear from being
installed evenly all the way around.
Adjusting Side Bearings
Install the differential bearing cones on the differential case
hubs without installing shims, using side bearing replacer
tool j-2646 or J-2104.
Install differential bearing Cups. Clean bearing bores in
housing and install the differential assembly.
Install the bearing caps. Be sure identification marks on
cap (Fig. 1) are in same position as identification marks on
housing. Tighten bolts finger tight.
Mount a dial indicator with the button against the back
face of the ring gear (Fig. 5). Insert two screw drivers
between the bearing cup and housing. Force the differential
assembly to one side as far as possible.
Set dial indicator to zero and shift differential as far as
possible to opposite side; note and record reading.
This reading denotes the shim requirements to be installed
later between the differential assembly and the bearing
cones. Shims are available in .003", .005", .010", and .030"
thicknesses.
Remove the side bearing caps and remove the differential
assembly.
FIGURE 5—Determining Shim Pack for Side
Bearing Adjustment
Pinion Depth Adjustment
To compensate for machining tolerances, the pinion and ring
gears are factory tested for tooth contact and quietness. This
test is conducted at a standard cone setting and varied to
obtain correct tooth contact and quietness.
Note the figures etched on the rear end of the drive pinion.
One set will be found identical on both the ring gear and
pinion. This denotes a matched set. Another figure will be
found on the end of the drive pinion which shows a plus or
minus sign (Fig. 6).
FIGURE 6—Matched Gear Set Numbers and
Pinion Setting Number