In differential maintenance, what does backlash refer to?

In differential maintenance, what does backlash refer to?

• A. The clearance between the ring gear and pinion teeth
• B. The clearance between the ring gear teeth and pinion teeth measured when the gears are in mesh and unloaded
• C. The amount of gear oil in the differential
• D. The torque required to rotate the pinion

Answer: (B)

Backlash is the small clearance between the ring gear and pinion teeth that exists when the gears are meshed but unloaded. This gap lets lubrication flow and accommodates wear and thermal expansion, preventing the gears from binding. In maintenance, it’s measured with the gears in mesh and under no load. The other descriptions describe different things (like oil quantity or the torque required to rotate the pinion) and don’t define backlash.

Backlash is the small clearance between the ring gear and pinion teeth that exists when the gears are meshed but unloaded. This gap lets lubrication flow and accommodates wear and thermal expansion, preventing the gears from binding. In maintenance, it’s measured with the gears in mesh and under no load. The other descriptions describe different things (like oil quantity or the torque required to rotate the pinion) and don’t define backlash.