Picked up a 91 F250 extended cab w/ the NA 7.3 couple weeks ago. Really good condition, runs good. Seller was getting rid of it partially due to what seemed to be U-joint's going out. Priced $1500. Other pre-PS I'd seen in similar shape go for 2x that or more. Once home & crawled under to check the joint...very slight play only noticeable if know what to feel for. Got to the pinion joint and found yoke loose. Uh-oh! Dropped driveline...turns out 1 of the joints was DRY anyway. Those are getting done along with the center support. Once down what I thought was a BIG problem of worn out pinion (truck was used by a local rancher for heavy hauling) turned out to be just yoke play as I could see the pinion nut (as reference) stay put when yoke jiggled. Pulled yoke to inspect splined tube for cracking...none.

Axle is the 10.25 Sterling from what I can tell.

Started searching for nut torque. Found 160 lbs on a post here somewhere. Yoke play disappeared @ around 100 lbs and stopped it at 150 because I started to wonder since I ran across the matter of crush sleeve and the mini nightmare it entails. Now the truck has not moved from its current position since originally parked. Driveline is still out (dropping the line off tomorrow for a shop to do the center support change for 40-45$) while the U-joints can be done at home. Yoke is just sitting in place on the pinion. I have a pack of new sleeves & a nut as well.

Have hunted all over but can't seem to find an answer to this SPECIFIC question(s). What is the approximate correct pinion nut torque? AND to achieve pre-load is it really necessary to pull the carrier instead of JUST the axles? IE just add a given amount of in//lbs to the 9-14 for used bearings..

Reading posts where others have asked this seems to usually lead just to repeats of how to achieve pre-load without really answering. I'm looking for an rough figure so I have a better idea.

 

you are correct, pinion nut torque is 160 FT LBS. i would not worry with it at 150.

 

Good. Because I'd like to start there first. Will lock-tite the nut and see how it goes. If it ends up loosening again THEN will see about going the arduous route that I'm sure all who do it....hate.