Seals and Gaskets: Service and Repair

Drive Pinion Flange and Drive Pinion Seal





Special Tool(s)





Material
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position on a hoist.
2. Remove the rear wheel and tire assemblies.

3. CAUTION: Remove the rear brake calipers to prevent drag during the drive pinion bearing preload adjustment.

CAUTION: Do not allow the calipers to hang from the brake hoses.

Remove the rear brake caliper and support bracket from the knuckle as an assembly. Wire the caliper and support bracket out of the way.

Part 1 Of 2:

Part 2 Of 2:

4. Remove the driveshaft assembly.
5. Remove the components in the order indicated in the illustration and table.
6. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
7. Fill the axle with the specified quantity of the specified lubricant.

Item 1: Pinion Nut Removal Note





1. Install a Nm (inch-pound) torque wrench on the pinion nut and record the torque necessary to maintain rotation of the drive pinion gear through several revolutions.





2. CAUTION: After removing the nut, discard it. Always use a new nut for installation.

Use the special tool to hold the rear axle pinion flange while removing the nut.

Item 2: Rear Axle Pinion Flange Removal Note





1. Index-mark the rear axle pinion flange and drive pinion gear to maintain initial balance during installation.





2. Using the special tool, remove the rear axle pinion flange.

Item 3: Rear Pinion Oil Seal Removal Note





1. Use a screwdriver to force up the metal flange of the rear axle drive pinion seal. Install gripping pliers and strike with a hammer to remove the rear axle drive pinion seal.

Item 3: Rear Pinion Oil Seal Installation Note
1. Lubricate the lips of the new seal with grease.





2. CAUTION: If the rear axle drive pinion seal becomes misaligned during installation, remove the seal and install a new one.

Using the special tool, install the rear axle drive pinion seal.

Item 2: Rear Axle Pinion Flange Installation Note
1. Inspect the rear axle pinion flange seal journal for rust, nicks and scratches prior to installing the flange. Polish the seal journal with fine crocus cloth, if necessary.
2. Lubricate the rear axle pinion flange splines.

3. NOTE: Disregard the index marks if installing a new rear axle pinion flange.

Position the index marks on the rear axle pinion flange.





4. Using the special tools, install the rear axle pinion flange.

Item 1: Pinion Nut Installation Note





1. CAUTION: Do not under any circumstance loosen the nut to reduce preload. If it is necessary to reduce preload, install a new differential drive pinion collapsible spacer and nut.

Tighten the nut to set the preload.
^ Rotate the pinion occasionally to make sure the pinion bearings seat correctly. Take frequent pinion bearing torque preload readings by rotating the drive pinion gear with a Nm (inch-pound) torque wrench.
^ If the preload recorded prior to disassembly is lower than the specification for used bearings, tighten the nut to specification. If the preload recorded prior to disassembly is higher than the specification for used bearings, tighten the nut to the original reading as recorded.
^ Refer to the torque specification for used pinion bearings in Specifications.