Ring And Pinion Pattern

For more in depth information about ring and pinion gear patterns and how to make adjustments see our installation instructions page.

Ring and pinion pattern.

Ring gear and pinion tooth pattern interpretation when setting the pinion position many of the service manuals required a final pinion position check by using gauges that verified the dimension from the center line of the differential carrier center line of ring gear to the face of the pinion button. This pattern indicates excessive pinion depth. The images below illustrate both acceptable and unacceptable ring and pinion gear patterns. When the pinion is too far in towards the ring gear the pattern is low toward the base of the gear teeth.

Load the ring gear and run a full contact pattern check. Moving the ring gear away from the pinion increases backlash and causes the pattern to move out toward the heel of the ring gear. Use gear marking compound to paint all of the ring gear teeth. Toe contact pattern is concentrated off the toe end of the drive gear tooth.

Proper ring gear to pinion gear contact pattern is critical for quiet and trouble free gear set operation. Ring and pinion gear pattern is one of the most valuable tools for determining if a differential is properly set up.