Front Differential

Drive Pinion Seal





Special Tool(s)





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





2. Index-mark the front driveshaft and the front axle flange to maintain driveline balance.





3. Disconnect the front driveshaft from the front axle flange and position it aside.
1 Remove and discard the four bolts and two retainers.
2 Disconnect the front driveshaft from the front axle flange.
3 Tape the bearing cups to the spider to prevent them from falling off the spider.
4 Position the driveshaft aside.





4. Measure the pinion bearing torque preload. Record the reading.
Rotate the pinion with a Nm (inch-pound) torque wrench. Record the torque necessary to maintain rotation of the pinion through several revolutions.





5. Using the special tool, remove and discard the nut and washer.





6. NOTE: Index-mark the flange and the pinion shaft.

Using the special tool, remove the flange.





7. Using the special tools, remove the pinion seal. Discard the seal.
8. Clean and inspect the following:
^ The seal mounting surface.
^ The flange lugs and the flange end that contacts the bearing cone.
^ Verify that the flange nut counterbore and the seal contact surfaces are smooth and free of nicks.

Installation





1. Using a suitable driver, install the pinion seal.
Lightly coat the pinion seal lip with lubricant.





2. CAUTION: Never use a metal hammer on the pinion flange or install the flange with power tools. If necessary, use a plastic hammer to tap on a tight fitting flange.

NOTE: Align the index marks.

Lightly coat the flange splines and seal mating area with lubricant, then install the flange with a new washer and nut.








3. CAUTION: Never back off the pinion nut to reduce preload. If preload reduction is necessary, install a new collapsible spacer and pinion nut.

Tighten the nut.
^ Use the special tool to prevent the flange from turning while tightening the nut. Remove the special tool when taking pinion bearing torque preload readings.
^ Take frequent pinion bearing torque preload readings.
^ The final reading must be 0.56 Nm (5 inch lbs.) more than the initial reading taken during removal.





4. Connect the front driveshaft to the front axle flange.
1 Remove the tape from the bearing cups.
2 Connect the front driveshaft to the front axle flange.
3 Install the two new retainers and four new bolts.
5. Check and, if necessary, fill the axle with the specified lubricant.