Gear Tooth Contact Pattern Inspection: Notes
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 9 other vehicles, including the 2002 GMC Yukon XL, 2002 GMC Yukon, 2002 GMC Sierra, 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2002 Chevrolet Suburban. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The contact pattern check is not a substitute for adjusting the pinion depth and backlash. Use this method in order to verify the correct running position of the ring gear and the drive pinion. Gear sets which are not positioned properly may be noisy and/or have a short life. A pattern check ensures the best contact between the ring gear and the drive pinion for low noise and long life.