Backash of the gearset is adjusted at the same time
as the side-bearing preload. Side-bearing preload limits
the amount the differential is able to move laterally in
the axle housing. Adjusting backlash sets the depth of the
mesh between the ring and pinion gear teeth. Both of
these are adjusted by shim thickness or by the adjustments
made by the side-bearing adjusting nuts. Photo Sequence
40 goes through the typical procedure for
measuring and adjusting backlash and side-bearing preload
on a gearset that uses shims for adjustment. Photo
Sequence 41 covers the same steps for a unit that has adjusting
nuts.