Gear tooth contact patterns. (Complete this step before disassembling gearbox components for inspection). The way
in which mating gear teeth contact indicates how well they are aligned (Figure 1). If practical, record tooth contact
patterns under either loaded or unloaded conditions. For no-load tests, paint the teeth of one gear with marking
compound. Then, roll the teeth through mesh so the compound transfers the contact pattern to the unpainted gear. Lift
the pattern from the gear with scotch tape and mount it on paper to form a permanent record