2005 Kawasaki KAF400 Mule 600 and Mule 610 4x4 Service Manual, Page 234Get this manual
FINAL DRIVE 11-17 Front Final Gear Case (KAF400-AC)
Front Final Bevel Gear Adjustment
In order to prevent one gear from moving away from the other gear under load, the pinion gear must be properly preloadedAlso the backlash (distance one gear will move back and forth without moving the other gear) and tooth contact pattern of the bevel gears must be correct to prevent the gears from making noise and being damagedAbove three adjustments are of critical importance and must be carried out following the correct sequence and methodWhen any one of the backlash-related parts are replaced or the pinion gear nut is loosened; even if the purpose is not to replace the parts, check and adjust the pinion gear preload, the bevel gear backlash, and tooth contact by replacing shimsThe amount of backlash is influenced by the ring gear position more than by the pinion gear positionTooth contact location is influenced by pinion gear position more than by ring gear position