Just thinking, did the loose nut contribute to the pinion gear slipping back? Tomorrow morning I'm planning on putting the new seal in, slipping the yoke back in place, then the washer and nut. I'll check the pinion gear from the back side for movement etc.
Since I didn't mark the nut and yoke when I removed it, should I go to a certain torque setting? Should I put a drop of thread lock on it? Now I'm nervous about that happening again. This time it'll be me that needs a change of underwear.
