Adjusting Differential

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Land Rover Range Rover, 2004 Land Rover Range Rover, and 2003 Land Rover Range Rover. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Rotating differential counterclockwise will raise drive tube. This will decrease excess distance below locating bushing. See Figure . This procedure may need to be repeated several times to achieve desired result.

NOTE: The calculated average measurement is the TARGET position (maximum up and down) for the drive shaft in relation to the locating bushing in the transfer gearbox front output flange.

Slide drive shaft forwards, release centering flange securing nut and bolt, rotate centering flange and remove alignment tool. See Figure . Calculate average of up and down recorded measurements to obtain the TARGET measurement.
Release slider screw on Alignment Tool LRT-54-032 and move inside edge of slider to the calculated TARGET position. Fully tighten slider screw using the Allen wrench.

NOTE: It may be necessary to slide drive shaft, together with alignment tool, slightly forwards. This will allow alignment tool to be slightly extracted from locating bushing in transfer gearbox front output flange, to allow clearance.

Position alignment tool into transfer gearbox front output flange locating bushing. See Figure . Rotate centering flange into position and secure with a suitable nut and bolt. Slide drive shaft rearwards until it contacts the face of the ruler.

NOTE: Initial movement of drive shaft will be due to the fit of the drive shaft and drive tube mating splines. When approaching slider, resistance will be felt as the differential moves.

If measured distance was larger below than above locating bushing center line, position alignment tool vertically with slider above centering flange nipple. If measured distance was larger above than below locating bushing center line, position alignment tool vertically with slider below centering flange nipple.
Perform differential alignment as follows:
- Release 4 differential attachment bolts sufficiently to secure the differential, but still allow slight rotation on its axis. See Figure .
- Gently push drive shaft up or pull drive shaft down until centering flange nipple touches inside edge of slider.
- With assistance, hold drive shaft in this position and snugly tighten one differential bolt to secure the differential.
- Verify that the measurement above and below centering flange nipple is equal and the same as the TARGET measurement.
Repeat adjustments up and down as required to achieve equal alignment measurements.
When measurement is equal above and below locating bushing within 0.039" (1.0 mm) of TARGET position, tighten all front differential mounting bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Verify that measurement above and below centering flange nipple remain equal after mounting bolts have been tightened.