This weekend will be the big swap from 4.57 to 4.11. I will replace the pinion seal before the swap. I know to check the in/lb of the bearing preload prior to loosening the pinon nut so I can bring it back to the same bearing preload, and also to make sure the amount of torque to break the nut free so it all goes back together at the same specs. I will also mark the position of the nut and the pinion prior to breaking it loose just for peace of mind. I don't have a handy-dandy 3rd member bench holder. All I have is a B&D Workmate that I can set it on so the pinion nut is facing upwards. I have never replaced a pinion seal on any axle. I saw a video where the mechanic had one of those 3rd member bench holder's. He was working on a 3rd member from a 50's era Biscayne, and when he loosened the pinion nut, the pinion started dropping out the bottom. He said they normally don't do that, but sometimes do. I don't know if those rear ends in the 50's era cars had the pinion support bearing like these HO52's do. Do I need to be concerned about the pinion dropping out the bottom when I loosen the pinion nut? It looks like it might stay put, but I don't want to screw things up when all I am doing is changing the seal.
