GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Table 1: Pattern Evaluation (Ring Gear)

Pattern Evaluation (Ring Gear)

Drive Side

Coast Side

Pattern Condition

Corrective Action

Heel Toe

Toe Heel

    • If the pinion depth needs to be adjusted, refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment.
    • If the backlash needs to be adjusted, refer to Backlash Adjustment.
    • For the ring gear to pinion gear wear pattern test and the proper identification of the 2-Cut and 5-Cut, refer to Differential Drive Pinion Gear and Ring Gear Description and Operation.

Object Number: 1988173  Size: GT

Object Number: 1988175  Size: GT

Drive Side Centered - Coast Side Centered

No correction required.

Drive Pinion Issue - 2-Cut Gearset


Object Number: 1988176  Size: GT

Object Number: 1988177  Size: GT

Drive Side Low Heel Contact - Coast Side High Heel Contact

  1. Inspect the backlash to ensure that it is approximately 0.08-0.13 mm (0.003-0.005 in)
  2. If backlash is correct, move the drive pinion closer to the ring gear by increasing the thickness of the pinion shim on a one-piece axle housing or by decreasing the thickness of the pinion shim on the 10.5 inch two-piece axle housing.

Object Number: 1988178  Size: GT

Object Number: 1988179  Size: GT

Drive Side Low Heel Contact - Coast Side Low Toe Contact

  1. Inspect the backlash to ensure that it is approximately 0.08-0.13 mm (0.003-0.005 in)
  2. If backlash is correct, move the drive pinion away from the ring gear by decreasing the thickness of the pinion shim on a one-piece axle housing or by increasing the thickness of the pinion shim on the 10.5 inch two-piece axle housing.

Backlash Issue


Object Number: 1988181  Size: GT

Object Number: 1988182  Size: GT

Drive Side High Heel Contact - Coast Side High Toe Contact

Backlash incorrect. The ring gear is too far away from the drive pinion. Inspect and adjust the backlash as necessary to ensure that it is approximately 0.08-0.13 mm (0.003-0.005 in).


Object Number: 1988183  Size: GT

Object Number: 1988184  Size: GT

Drive Side Low Toe Contact - Coast Side Low Heel Contact

Backlash incorrect. The ring gear is too close to the drive pinion. Inspect and adjust the backlash as necessary to ensure that it is approximately 0.08-0.13 mm (0.003-0.005 in).


Object Number: 1988185  Size: GT

Object Number: 1988186  Size: GT

Drive Side Centered - Coast Side Centered

No correction required.

Drive Pinion Issue - 5-Cut Gearset


Object Number: 1988187  Size: GT

Object Number: 1988188  Size: GT

Drive Side High and Slightly Heel Contact - Coast Side High and Slightly Toe Contact

  1. Inspect the backlash to ensure that it is approximately 0.08-0.13 mm (0.003-0.005 in)
  2. If backlash is correct, move the drive pinion closer to the ring gear by increasing the thickness of the pinion shim on a one-piece axle housing or by decreasing the thickness of the pinion shim on the 10.5 inch two-piece axle housing.

Object Number: 1988189  Size: GT

Object Number: 1988192  Size: GT

Drive Side Low and Slightly Heel Contact - Coast Side High and Slightly Toe Contact

  1. Inspect the backlash to ensure that it is approximately 0.08-0.13 mm (0.003-0.005 in)
  2. If backlash is correct, move the drive pinion away from the ring gear by decreasing the thickness of the pinion shim on a one-piece axle housing or by increasing the thickness of the pinion shim on the 10.5 inch two-piece axle housing.

Backlash Issue


Object Number: 1988194  Size: GT

Object Number: 1988195  Size: GT

Drive Side Heel Contact - Coast Side Toe Contact

Backlash incorrect. The ring gear is too far away from the drive pinion. Inspect and adjust the backlash as necessary to ensure that it is approximately 0.08-0.13 mm (0.003-0.005 in).


Object Number: 1988196  Size: GT

Object Number: 1988198  Size: GT

Drive Side Toe Contact - Coast Side Heel Contact

Backlash incorrect. The ring gear is too close to the drive pinion. Inspect and adjust the backlash as necessary to ensure that it is approximately 0.08-0.13 mm (0.003-0.005 in).


Drive Side Heel Toe

Pattern Condition

Coast Side Toe Heel

Pattern Condition

Corrective Action

Face Hobbing


Object Number: 1988257  Size: GT

Toe Contact


Object Number: 1988258  Size: GT

Heel Contact

Pinion shim correct. Increase backlash.


Object Number: 1988260  Size: GT

Desirable Pattern - Drive pattern should be centered on tooth


Object Number: 1988261  Size: GT

Desirable Pattern - Coast pattern should be center to slightly toe on tooth

No correction required.


Object Number: 1988263  Size: GT

Top Toe Contact


Object Number: 1988264  Size: GT

Top Heel Contact

Backlash correct. Increase in pinion shim.


Object Number: 1988265  Size: GT

Root Heel Contact


Object Number: 1988267  Size: GT

Root Toe Contact

Backlash correct. Decrease in pinion shim.


Object Number: 1988268  Size: GT

Top Heel Contact


Object Number: 1988269  Size: GT

Top Toe Contact

Pinion shim correct. Decrease backlash.


Object Number: 1988271  Size: GT

Root Toe Contact


Object Number: 1988272  Size: GT

Root Heel Contact

Pinion shim correct. Increase backlash.

Face Milling


Object Number: 1988199  Size: GT

Desirable Pattern - Drive pattern should be centered on tooth


Object Number: 1988200  Size: GT

Desirable Pattern - Coast pattern should be center to slightly toe on tooth

No correction required.


Object Number: 1988215  Size: GT

Top and Slightly Heel Contact


Object Number: 1988210  Size: GT

Top and Slightly Toe Contact

Backlash correct. Increase in pinion shim.


Object Number: 1988215  Size: GT

Root and Slightly Toe Contact


Object Number: 1988232  Size: GT

Root and Slightly Heel Contact

Backlash correct. Decrease in pinion shim.


Object Number: 1988252  Size: GT

Heel Contact


Object Number: 1988255  Size: GT

Toe Contact

Pinion shim correct. Decrease backlash.