The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline pinion installation

Anyone have any tips to get the pinion assembly back into the rear diff housing? I pulled it out to replace the pinion seal, and after a speedi-sleeve and seal replacement, I'm all re-assembled but can't get it to go into the housing far enough to come even close to starting the bolts. The service manual says to press it in, but I didn't take the entire housing out of the truck. Scratching my head!! I have a '49 3800 3/4 ton Chevy pick up

I;m not sure of your problem....is the bearing race out too far to allow the pinion holder to bolt back on?

Never mind, I got it! Went and got some threaded rod and fabricated three extra long posts that I screwed in roughly a triangular pattern and used flat washers and nuts to slowly and evenly draw it in until I could put in the regular flange bolts and finish tightening the rest of the way. Worked like a charm.

Thanks for posting back to me. If I knew how to load pictures of what was happening, it would be easier to explain what was going on. Nonetheless, it's ok now!