Notices
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series All Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series models

pinion seal replacement question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 11, 2008 | 10:48 AM
  #1  
cidme's Avatar
cidme
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
pinion seal replacement question

I had to change the rear pinion seal the other day and now I'm getting a bit of gear whine. I didn't know what the torque spec was on the pinion nut so I took a measurement from the end of the pinion shaft to the top of the nut before I removed it. I did this because I didnt want to over tighten the nut when reinstalling.

Is it whining because its too tight? I was also told it can whine if its to loose.

any advice?
thanks
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2008 | 11:20 AM
  #2  
ranger88a's Avatar
ranger88a
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 811
Likes: 0
Doesn't take much to overtighten it. Next time count the threads and scribe a mark on the end of the pinion and on the nut that way it's exactly where it was.
 
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2008 | 12:31 PM
  #3  
cidme's Avatar
cidme
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
thats pretty much what I did, i counted the threads and measured with a machinist ruler. So its got to be real close.
 
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2008 | 07:59 AM
  #4  
Rockledge's Avatar
Rockledge
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
If we are talking about the same seal, check out: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...64&postcount=3
 
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2008 | 10:07 AM
  #5  
tomw's Avatar
tomw
Logistics Pro
20 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,907
Likes: 39
From: suburban atlanta
I *thought* that there was a 'crush to fit' type gizmo in there somewhere that was a one-shot. Torque to xxx foot/lbs, and get automatic bearing pre-load. Had to be replaced if the pinion yoke was removed.
Am I thinking of something else?
tom
 
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2008 | 03:41 PM
  #6  
cidme's Avatar
cidme
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Rock

That is what I am talking about. But I did not take any kind of reading with a torque wrench before I took it apart. I read that link but I am a little confused about the preload part. Since I have the same bearings in it should I torque it to 8-14lb the rotate it a couple times and do this again, and for the final torque goto 22lb?

I was told by someone that the gear whine can be from being to loose as well as too tight is this true?
 
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2008 | 06:09 PM
  #7  
Rockledge's Avatar
Rockledge
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
Good question. I went back and looked at the Ford manual, and it's still a little confusing to me. But I think I got it now.

First, note that it's 8-14 inch-pounds when setting old bearings. To set the bearings, you want to be spinning the pinion itself, which means you have to rig up a way for your torque wrench to spin it (I would think another nut locked against the pinion nut would work for that). The torque being measured when setting the bearings is the force it takes to spin the pinion.

Then, to finally tighten the nut to 22 foot-pounds you obviously want to keep the pinion from spinning.

Make sense?
 
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2008 | 06:42 PM
  #8  
cidme's Avatar
cidme
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
yes I get what you mean, I will have to try and rig up a way to do the intial preload.

Whats your take on the gear whine?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 13, 2008 | 07:12 AM
  #9  
kotzy's Avatar
kotzy
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 970
Likes: 3
It can whine from tight or loose. You need to replace the crush sleeve to set it correctly. With a new one in place you will have to use the torque setting for old bearings. It needs to be tightened untill the torque needed to rotate the pinion is the reading you stated. There would be no need to add a nut to take your reading as the torque needed to tighten it will exceed the inch lb reading. Since you don't have the ring gear out of the housing I would try and get the rotational reading in the lash area of the pinions movement since the readings are gotten with just the pinon in the housing. kotzy
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2008 | 03:25 PM
  #10  
cidme's Avatar
cidme
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Kotzy,

Were is the crush sleeve located? When I took the nut off and poped out the oil seal i saw a thin shim. How do I take a rotational reading in the lash area? This is becoming to confusing. I think at this point I am just going to back the pinion nut off and retorque it to 22 ft lb.
 
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2008 | 07:59 PM
  #11  
kotzy's Avatar
kotzy
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 970
Likes: 3
The thin shim your talking about is the slinger located between the yoke and the seal. The crush sleeve is located between the outer pinion bearing cone and the pinion shaft' It compresses to allow preload to be placed on the pinion bearings, this is what causes the rotational torque. By holding the yoke with a pipe wrench or something that will grip the yoke and allow you to tighten the pinion nut you will compress the sleeve. By tightening until first the up and down play begins to disappear and the drag on the shaft is more than what the seal causes, you start to see what torque it takes to move the pinion shaft thru that small area wher nothing is being rotated except the pinion. Then increase it until you arrive at what you want in inch lbs. Had you noted the ft lbs required to loosen the nut you may have been able to return to the spot it was assembled at originally. The reason I would replace the sleeve is if you get it too tight you'll ruin the pinion bearings, too loose and out goes the seal and then a bearing. kotzy
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
HARALSON COUNTY
1997 - 2003 F150
2
Oct 25, 2014 11:02 PM
trk pny
1997 - 2003 F150
2
Jun 11, 2013 11:17 AM
XtraHam
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
2
Jan 16, 2010 12:22 PM
XLnAK
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
27
Jan 15, 2009 08:35 PM
jarmbrester
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
9
Jan 5, 2009 04:35 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:32 AM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE