Drive Pinion Flange and Drive Pinion Seal-Front Axle

Drive Pinion Flange and Drive Pinion Seal-Front Axle





Special Tool(s)





Material

CAUTION: This operation disturbs the differential pinion bearing preload. Carefully reset the preload during assembly.

1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position on a hoist.

2. NOTE: The front wheels and tires and brake calipers must be removed to prevent drag during the drive pinion preload recording and adjustment.

Remove the front tires and wheels.
3. Remove the front disc brake calipers and position them aside.

4. CAUTION: Do not allow the driveshaft to hang unsupported.

Disconnect the front driveshaft from the pinion flange and position it aside.
5. Remove the components in the order indicated in the illustration and table.





6. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
7. Check the lubricant level in the front axle assembly and, if necessary, fill the axle to specification.

Item 1: Pinion Nut and Washer Removal Note





1. Measure and record the pinion bearing tongue preload.
^ Using a Nm (inch-pound) torque wrench, rotate the pinion. Measure the torque required to maintain pinion rotation.





2. Index-mark the pinion flange and the pinion stem.





3. Using the special tool to hold the pinion flange, remove and discard the pinion nut and washer.

Item 2: Pinion Flange Removal Note





1. Using the special tool, remove the pinion flange.
2. Inspect the pinion flange for burrs and damage. Inspect the end of the pinion flange that contacts the bearing cone, nut counterbore and seal surface for nicks. Discard the pinion flange if damaged.

Item 3: Pinion Oil Seal Removal Note





1. Using the special tool, remove the pinion seal.
2. Verify the splines on the pinion stem are free of burrs. If burrs are evident, remove them with a fine crocus cloth.
3. Clean the pinion seal bore.

Item 3: Pinion Oil Seal Installation Note





1. NOTE: Lubricate the pinion seal lips with axle lubricant.

Using the special tool, install the pinion seal.

Item 2: Pinion Flange Installation Note





1. CAUTION: Never use a hammer or install the flange with power tools.

7NOTE: Lubricate the pinion flange splines.

Align the index marks and using the special tool, install the pinion flange.

Item 1: Pinion Nut and Washer Installation Note





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





2. CAUTION: Do not loosen the nut to reduce preload. Install a new collapsible spacer and nut if preload reduction is necessary.

Using the special tool to hold the pinion flange, tighten the nut to set the preload.
^ Tighten the nut, rotating the pinion occasionally to make sure the differential pinion bearings are seating correctly. Take frequent differential pinion bearing preload readings by rotating the pinion with a Nm (inch-pound) torque wrench. The final reading must be 0.56 Nm (5 inch lbs.) more than the initial reading taken during removal.