A crows foot pattern on the drive side ring gear teeth indicates:

A crows foot pattern on the drive side ring gear teeth indicates:

• A. excess pinion end-play
• B. not enough end-play
• C. incorrect backlash
• D. lack of lubrication

Answer: (D)

Gear tooth contact patterns reveal how well the gears are lubricated. A crow's foot pattern on the drive-side ring gear teeth shows the contact is not being adequately separated by oil, so metal-to-metal rubbing occurs in a concentrated, irregular way. The lubricant normally forms a film that yields a smooth, centered contact pattern; when lubrication is lacking, friction increases and wear marks appear in a distinctive, sparse, fan-like pattern like a crow’s foot on the drive side. So this pattern points to insufficient lubrication rather than correct backlash, end-play, or lubrication only being marginally off. Ensure the differential oil is at the proper level and condition and that lubrication is reaching the mesh area.

Gear tooth contact patterns reveal how well the gears are lubricated. A crow's foot pattern on the drive-side ring gear teeth shows the contact is not being adequately separated by oil, so metal-to-metal rubbing occurs in a concentrated, irregular way. The lubricant normally forms a film that yields a smooth, centered contact pattern; when lubrication is lacking, friction increases and wear marks appear in a distinctive, sparse, fan-like pattern like a crow’s foot on the drive side. So this pattern points to insufficient lubrication rather than correct backlash, end-play, or lubrication only being marginally off. Ensure the differential oil is at the proper level and condition and that lubrication is reaching the mesh area.