Is there a safe way to set the pinion bearing preload safely without an inch pound tourque wrench? I cant seem to find a dial type inch pound wrench anywhere.If not where can I get a dial type one without having to sell one of my organs to pay for it?

 

If you've made a tool to tighten it with, it's fairly easy to tell. The tool would consist of a piece of steel strip stock, like about 1/4" x 1" (you can get it at Home Depot or the like) about 2 or 3 feet long with 2 holes drilled into it such that you can bolt it to the yoke with the U-joint bolts without covering up the nut so you can still get the socket on it.

Make sure there's some grease on the bearings. Tighten the nut until all the play is taken up out of the bearing; then until you can notice the drag from the bearing increasing as you spin it; then about 1/8 turn more. You'll have to unbolt the tool to check the drag.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

Ok thats what I was looking for, I figured the preload adjustment would be similar to setting preload on a wheel bearing(slight drag after the free play is eliminated).As for holding the yoke I just used a 2 foot pipe wrench I had laying around to hold it instead of making a tool, it works fine.Thanks for the reply

 

not to go aginst what rb has to say but i've set up a lot of rear end gears and i can't tell the differance between 0 in/lbs of preload and 15 in/lbs of preload. i'd never try to guess at it. i've had more trouble out of the 7.5 10 bolts in our cars than anything else too. when i do one i buy several pinion nuts and crush sleeves (not reusable) because i over tighten the nut and have too much preload. to hold the pinon yoke i made a tool from a pieve of 1/4"x3"x40" steel. used a hole saw to make a hole for the socket to fit through and them drilled 4 holes for bolts to hold the yoke. i have several holes and bolt patterns in mine for differant yokes and rear ends.

 

ede, What kind of trouble did you have with the 10 bolts? Ive set my backlash at .008 my gear mesh pattern is centered.They are GM gears.Carrier bearings are preloaded at about .004 on each side. I would like to set the pinion preload to spec but it seems that every parts/tool place ive been to dont even know what a dial type inch pound wrench is!Imagine that.Ive only been able to find the click type.

 

I also need a torque wrench to tell the difference. 15 in lbs is a lot more than you might think. Look for a beam style inlb wrench. It will work.

Miles

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88 427 Camaro
12.18 @ 113mph 1.75 60ft
Currently installing 3.73's into my 9 bolt (YES,it is a 9 bolt & YES they are 3.73's, not 3.70. 4.11's to follow soon )
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