The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 55 rear axle pinion yoke leaking gear oil after Axle rebuild

On my 52 3100 I did a rebuild on the 55 truck axle. Pick up the axle after rebuild and installed it on the truck and proceed with installing the brake linings and rest of the parts. I started noticing a small puddle of gear oil when I was adjusting the brakes. The housing wasn't wet, the oil was coming from the nut that secured the yoke. Contacted the axle shop and they said bring it in when I could. It would be long time since at that time the truck wasn't even running yet. After a while it became annoying wiping up the oil. I did some searching and this is not uncommon on these axles. Some sealant on the grooves of the yoke and behind the washer nut will fix the problem. No sealant after removing the yoke. Did it myself problem solved. Not all axles have this problem but its better to be safe and having to deal with a mess later. Thought I would share this.


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Before taking the yoke off, I wanted to know where the reference points are marking the pinion yoke, nut and pinion so that they all go back together in the same relationship to maintain the bearing preload. I check the torque from the shop rebuild and the torque after reinstalling.I used my 0-30in/lb dia wrench.

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Steve

Good to know, thx for the info.

Brad

Did you check the pinion bearing preload after reinstalling the nut? Getting the right torque on the big nut is an absolute must for quiet gear operation and proper bearing life. A drop or two of blue Loctite on the pinion nut thread is also a good idea.
Jerry

Thanks Jerry I should have mention that part. I edit my post. I followed the instructions on the site for torque and maintaining the preload. If someone was having their axle being rebuild at a shop to make sure
that the shop used sealant on the grooves on the yoke. I talk to the young guy about it at the axle shop. He said it was rare that this happens. But why take a chance. The shop deals with newer axles and gears that are not 50 or 60 year old axles. They had to call Yukon bearing and gear and give them the dia of the bearings and seals, they were not listed in the catalog. And Yukon put together a Master kit for the axle. I have no problems with the shop. They got the bearings and rebuild the axle. Very friendly service.

Good show! Generally, the pinion preload is set before the carrier and the ring gear is installed, but checking the total turning torque and retightening the pinion nut to get that figure is a good work-around. The first time the pinion preload is set, the crush washer is being compressed, so it's an incremental process to sneak up on the right preload. A properly set up rear end should last many thousands of quiet, trouble-free miles, but there are about a dozen ways to mess it up, and only one chance to get it right.
Jerry