I'm getting ready to install my 4th gen axle, however I need to replace the pinion seal first. I've read other posts about just mark where the old nut is and install back to that point. I bought this rear end second hand and it has a set of Richmond gears in it from the previous owner. The gears look good and the previous owners have used the axle. Looking at the pinion nut, there are only two or three rungs of thread showing. If I recall from previous pinion seal changes there should be more threads showing on the pinion. The nut can be turned pretty easily with a 1/2" rachet. How can I check to make sure I'm not over tightening or under tightening the pinion nut when I re-install?

 

I would think you would want to change the crush sleeve and then torque it to spec. when you do this so the pinion nut won't back off. I had a friend who didn't do this, and when the nut backed off, the pinion bearing lost it's preload and tore up his ring and pinion. Not sure if this is the case with this specific rear, but I'd check into it.

 

I've never replaced a crush sleeve before. Do you remove the old sleeve by just removing the yoke and pulling the old one out? Also what are the correct torque specs for a 4th gen axle?

 

I've replaced several seals with the marking deal, but they were all factory stuff. I usually tighten the nut a bit, maybe 1/16 turn past. Then turn the yoke back and forth to make sure it's nice and smooth with not too much drag. If your pinion nut is not really tight, that sounds like a problem as they are usually impossible to even get off without a big muscle impact wrench. I'd put at least a hundred foot pounds on it at reassembly and check the drag as above. Those crush sleeves are pretty tough.

 

The gears turn smooth. I'll pull out my torque wrench and see how tight the pinion nut is currently. I never removed the nut, I just turned it some. The axle has supposedly been driven in the shape its currently in. The previous owner decided to swap it out with a Moser axle.

 

I checked the torque on the pinion nut this evening and it started turning with about 40 lb/ft. Surely the nut has to be tighter than that. Where should I go from here? If I tighten it up to 150 lb/ft like I have read before how can I make sure the pre-load is set right?

Update: I spoke to the previous owner and he admitted to loosening the pinion nut. So I know I have to find the pre-load again. How should I start?

 

to replace your crush sleeve won't you have to pull your chunk and pinion?, the rotating torque is like 8-12 in/lbs