Pinion Seal

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Pickups and MPV

1. Raise and support the front end on jackstands.
2. Matchmark and remove the driveshaft.
3. Remove the wheels and brake calipers.

   Fig. 2: Checking the drive pinion bearing preload

4. Using an inch lbs. torque wrench on the companion flange nut, measure the rotational torque of the differential and note the reading.
5. Hold the companion flange from turning and remove the locknut.
6. Using a puller, remove the companion flange.

   Fig. 3: Use a 2-jawed puller to remove the driveshaft companion flange

7. Using a center punch to deform the seal and pry it out of the bore.
8. Coat the outer edge of the new seal with sealer and drive it into place with a seal driver.
9. Coat the seal lip with clean gear oil.
10. Coat the companion flange with chassis lube and install it.
11. Install the nut and tighten it until the previously noted rotational torque is achieved. Torque on the nut should not exceed 130 ft. lbs.
12. Install the driveshaft.
13. Replace any lost gear oil.

Navajo

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and support the vehicle safely. Allow the axle to drop to rebound position for working clearance.
3. Remove the rear wheels and brake drums. No drag must be present on the axle.
4. Mark the companion flanges and U-joints for correct reinstallation position.
5. Remove the driveshaft.

   Fig. 4: Remove the seal by either prying it out, or grasping the lip edge with locking pliers and tapping it out of the housing

6. Using an inch pound torque wrench and socket on the pinion yoke nut measure the amount of torque needed to maintain differential rotation through several clockwise revolutions. Record the measurement.
7. Use a suitable tool to hold the companion flange. Remove the pinion nut.
8. Place a drain pan under the differential. Clean the area around the seal and mark the yoke-to-pinion relation.
9. Use a 2-jawed puller to remove the companion flange.
10. Remove the seal with a small prybar.

    To install:

11. Thoroughly clean the oil seal bore.

    NOTE: If you are not absolutely certain of the proper seal installation depth, the proper seal driver must be used. If the seal is misaligned or damaged during installation, it must be removed and a new seal installed.

12. Drive the new seal into place with a seal driver such as T83T–4676–A. Coat the seal lip with clean, waterproof wheel bearing grease.
13. Coat the splines with a small amount of wheel bearing grease and install the yoke, aligning the matchmarks. Never hammer the yoke onto the pinion!
14. Install a new nut on the pinion.
15. Hold the yoke with a holding tool. Tighten the pinion nut, taking frequent turning torque readings until the original preload reading is attained. If the original preload reading, that you noted before disassembly, is lower than the specified reading of 8–14 inch lbs. for used bearings; 16–29 inch lbs. for new bearings, keep tightening the pinion nut until the specified reading is reached. If the original preload reading is higher than the specified values, torque the nut just until the original reading is reached.

    WARNING
    Under no circumstances should the nut be backed off to reduce the preload reading! If the preload is exceeded, the yoke and bearing must be removed and a new collapsible spacer must be installed. The entire process of preload adjustment must be repeated.

16. Install the driveshaft using the matchmarks. Torque the nuts to 15 ft. lbs.
17. Lower the vehicle.
18. Reconnect the negative battery cable.

    TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

    TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

    TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS