Seals and Gaskets: Service and Repair

Drive Pinion Flange and Drive Pinion Seal

Special Tool(s)





Material









Removal

1. CAUTION: The color on the rear face of the drive pinion nut is critical to this repair. Use the same color new drive pinion nut for installation. If a new collapsible spacer must be installed for pinion bearing preload reduction, install the nut supplied with the new spacer kit or damage to the component may occur.

NOTE: Remove the rear brake discs to prevent brake drag during drive pinion bearing preload adjustment.

NOTE: When removing the rear brake caliper in this procedure, it is not necessary to disconnect the hydraulic lines.

Remove the rear brake discs.
2. Remove the driveshaft.
3. Install a Nm (1b-in) torque wrench on the nut and record the torque necessary to maintain rotation of the pinion through several revolutions.





4. CAUTION: Install a new pinion nut with the same color as the original if not installing a new collapsible spacer. If a new collapsible spacer is installed, install the nut in the kit or damage to the component may occur.

Use the special tool to hold the pinion flange while removing the nut.





5. Index-mark the pinion flange and the drive pinion stem for correct alignment during installation.





6. Using the special tool, remove the pinion flange.





7. Force up on the metal flange of the drive pinion seal. Install gripping pliers and strike with a hammer until the drive pinion seal is removed.
^ Discard the seal.





Installation
1. Coat the new rear axle drive pinion seal lips with grease.

2. NOTE: Installation without the correct tool can result in early seal failure.

NOTE: If the rear axle drive pinion seal becomes misaligned during installation, remove the seal and install a new seal.

Using the special tool, install the rear axle drive pinion seal.





3. Lubricate the pinion flange splines with rear axle lubricant.

4. NOTE: Disregard the index marks if installing a new pinion flange.

Position the pinion flange.





5. Using the special tool, install the pinion flange.





6. Select the correct pinion nut for installation.

8.8-in Drive Pinion Nut





7. CAUTION: Install a new pinion nut with the same color as the original if not installing a new collapsible spacer or damage to the component may occur.

Install the new washer and pinion nut. Only hand-tighten the pinion nut at this time.

8. CAUTION: Do not loosen the pinion nut to reduce drive pinion bearing preload. Install a new drive pinion collapsible spacer and pinion nut if drive pinion bearing preload reduction is necessary. If a new collapsible spacer must be installed for pinion bearing preload reduction, install the nut supplied with the new spacer kit or damage to the component may occur.

Using the special tool to hold the pinion flange, tighten the pinion nut to set the drive pinion bearing preload.
^ Tighten the pinion nut, rotating the pinion occasionally to make sure the drive pinion bearings are seating correctly. Take frequent drive pinion bearing preload readings by rotating the drive pinion gear with a Nm (1b-in) torque wrench. The final readings must be 0.56 Nm (5 lb-in) more than the initial reading taken during removal.
9. Install the driveshaft.
10. Install the rear brake discs.