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I want to replace the leaking pinion seals on the differentials of my 73 F 250. It looks simple enough but I wonder if loosening and retorqueing the pinion nut disturbs the shim packs in any way or am I worrying about nothing? Any tips or pointers on this repair would be of great help. Also does anyone know the number of foot lbs. these nuts should be torqued to?
You are disturbing the pinion crush sleeve when taking the nut off. The best way to do it is to carefully mark the position of the nut. Take a center punch and mark the threaded shaft, and the nut. When you put it back together, put the nut back in the same position it was originally as close as you can get it.
I replaced the pinion seal on my Dana 60. Took the nut off (it's on really tight), the washer, pulled the yoke, then the seal. Reassambled in the reverse. Tightened nut to 250 ft.lbs. Drove it about 2 weeks and it started leaking again. Tore it all apart again, and replaced the seal AND yoke this time. No more leaks, have about 2500-3000 miles on it.
The surface on the original yoke where the seal rides looked pretty good and I didn't think it would leak. From now on, I replace the yoke with the seal. Did the same thing to my divorced transfer case, seal and yoke, no leaks.
Good luck.