Rear Axle Rebuild

[Ed in Maine]

On page 47 of Tom Endy's 2014 paper there is reference to adjusting the backlash between the pinion and the ring gear. It is stated that the backlash may be between 0.010 and 0.020. Is this measured on the circumference of the drive shaft? Therefore, the amount of back and forth rotation of the drive shaft?
Thank you for your comments, Ed

 

[Patrick L.]

Back lash is measured with a dial indicator fastened so the indicator is on a tooth of the ring gear. Both backlash and tooth pattern go hand in hand.