Tools for holding diff flange and extracting outer pinion bearing race (1 Viewer)

[sunrk]

I need to replace my rear diff pinion seal, and the pinion has a small bit of movement, so I think I need to also at a minimum replace the outer bearing and crush spacer (which is what Toyota FSM says to do when replacing the seal).

I have seals (both std and Marlin Crawler kind) new, and diff rebuild kit which gives me a new outer bearing and nut, plus a new flange as the old one is a but icky.

I've worked out I need to make a tool to hold the flange which might end up being a bit of 25 mm angle steel about 5 mm thick to stop it flexing, with two hi-tensile bolts spaced to suit a pair of holes on the flange, and notched so a socket can get at the pinion nut.

However I also need a tool to pull out the outer pinion bearing race. Hard to figure out what to get but the most likely candidate I've found so far is the Kent Moore J-44380. What I don't know is if that tool is wide enough to fit over the pinion shaft.

Otherwise it'd be good and it attaches to a slide hammer so is a fairly universal piece.

Almost all of the 2 and 3 jaw puller tools I see on Ebay are no good for the job, but if anyone has narrowed down some that do suit the job I'm interested to find out.

Ta, Craig.

 

[Pin_Head]

The way the FSM indicates to do the job is remove the carrier and pinion and drive the race out from the rear. You might be able to narrow the arms of a puller to get it out; maybe not. What makes you think the bearing is bad? Maybe all it needs is a little tightening.

 

[sunrk]

True, however the FSM says that when replacing the seal, to replace the outer bearing and the crush spacer as well. In any case I still need to make a tool for holding the flange especially when tightening up the pinion nut as it's torque spec is 181 ft-lb which is 31 ft-lb more than my torque wrench will go.

It's still a good idea to inspect the outer bearing while the flange/seal/slinger are out. If that Kent-Moore tool is the right size to go over the pinion shaft, it'd be worth getting so the outer bearing can be replaced with the diff in-place.

Craig.

 

[thebus]

Double check your breather mine stopped leaking after I took it off..

 

[86tuning]

I'm with Pinhead and thebus. Plugged breathers will cause leaks.

Is there play in the companion flange? Is the final drive gearset making strange noises?

If you want to do it the Toyota way, remove the diff carrier from the axle housing and then the diff from the carrier, tap the threaded end of the pinion shaft to take the bearing out. Then pound the race out from the backside. Replace all the parts you feel like. At this point, certainly replace the collapsible spacer.

Pulling the diff carrier out of the vehicle is not a big job. It's a bit heavy, so you'll want a buddy to help if you're not a big strong feller. I need help with them when I install rear lockers. To do it this way, you won't need much in the way of special tools, other than a large breaker bar and a pipe to help with leverage, plus a 4' piece of angle iron with a couple holes drilled into it. A selection of punches and chisels and you're good to go.

If you're trying to do it in the vehicle, this is what we do. It doesn't always work but it usually does. If it doesn't work, you get to do a teardown anyways, so there's no loss.

Mark the propshaft and companion flange orientation with paint.

Remove the pinion nut and companion flange, then replace the seal. Don't disturb the slinger, bearing, or anything else.

Re-install the companion flange and put a bead of fipg behind where the pinion nut goes, then re-use the original pinion nut.

Tighten the nut to the EXACT same spot that it was at before. Then turn it 1/8" more, so that a new portion of the nut is exposed so you can stake it again. No need for a torque wrench, just a breaker bar and appropriate size socket. If you do it with the tires on the ground, block them before attempting to loosen or tighten the pinion nut. We cheat and use impact tools, and do it on a hoist, so there's no risk of making the truck drive over yourself by turning the pinion with your big breaker bar.

Reinstlal propshaft, then road test for strange noises.