The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Rear Pinion Seal

Hey Guys, I need to replace the rear pinion seal on my truck. It's a 55 rear end and I have the seal. Having never done this before I have read a bunch here already but I do have one dumb question.

I don't have to pull the pumpkin to do this do I? I can just disconnect the drive shaft and work on it in place. Right?

Thanks George

I,m asuming this is a 1/2 ton. You dont have to take it out. Remove the drive shaft. Mark the position of the pinion nut in relation to the shaft with a center punch. Remove the pinion nut. An air or electric impact tool is extremly helpful here. Pull the yoke off. It probably will come off with a hammer but possibly may need a puller. Pry out the old seal & tap in the new one. Put the yoke back on with a little RTV around the splines so no grease will seep out between them. Put on the washer & put a little thread locker on the nut & tighten it to the previous marks. If you have a little up & down play in the yoke you can tighten it a little more to remove it. Don,t confuse up & down play with turning play. It will have some free play turning it. Put the drive shaft back in. Now would be a good time to change the grease. You can remove bottom bolt in the cover & it will drain.

Thanks, seems pretty straight forward. I have a friend, who has done one before, that will help me out. just wanted to get my ducks in a row before I started.

George

Do not make the mistake of over tightening the nut. If the pinion gets hard to turn and think you can just back the nut off some, you can't.
There is a crush sleeve between the two bearings that is crushed when tightening the nut to set bearing preload.
If the crush sleeve is over crushed it needs to be replaced.
Go very slow and check for smooth rotation regularly when tightening the nut.
An inch pound torque wrench is recommended for this procedure.