A power transmission device includes a housing, a differential assembly
having a case and a bearing assembly rotatably supporting the case within
the housing. A preload is applied to the bearing assembly along a load
path. A shim is positioned in the load path with the bearing assembly.
The shim is constructed at least in part from a material having a
predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion such that the shim is
operable to compensate for different rates of thermal expansion in the
components within the load path to maintain a desired bearing preload or
a range of operating temperatures.