Trying to get to the pinion seal on a front diff

  • Thread starter Thread starter nyk438
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Read this
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=17599&highlight=pinion

If you didn't destroy the pinion nut, just put it back on where it was before.
If you have the dial in/lb torque guage, you can check it to see if its in spec.
Did you drain the diff oil? If it was full of grease you may want to pull the axles and remove the diff and either replace the crush sleeve or take it to a shop (that works on diff's) and have them replace it.
You then need to replace the inner axle seal and get a knuckle rebuild kit.
 
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So let me get this straight, If I don't torque the pinion nut to the right amount I'll fawk up the whole axle or what?
 
Nyk,

You *really* need to read the FSM, ask for advice here on IH8MUD, and carefully follow the advice and technical information you are given and that you read in the FSM. I'm sure someone here would be helpful and scan & post the FSM pages you need if you ask.

In your attempt to DIY without doing the research, you are at risk of costing yourself some big bucks.

-B-
 
nyk438 said:
So let me get this straight, If I don't torque the pinion nut to the right amount I'll fawk up the whole axle or what?
Click to expand...

Nyk-that is a true statement. The nut sets the preload on the pinion bearing. It basically needs to be tight enough to give you the same preload you had before you messed with it. From the factory service manual, tighten the pinion nut untill you get 4.3-6.9 INCH POUNDS of preload within the backlash of the gear set. I would aim for 5 (remember INCH POUNDS not foot pounds) and call it good. Note the pinion nut itself will be much tighter than 5 inch pounds. Don't forget to stake the nut when you are done. Your seal may have failed because the pinion bearing is worn out, so be mentally prepared for it leaking again. Then you will know you need your diff rebuilt. Replace that gear oil, yours looks like baby poop.
 
Nyk, there is a lot of good technical advise being offered in this posting. I have some non technical advice to offer. Based on the good questions that you have posted, I believe that you have the willingness, but lack the expertise to perform this repair in a manner that you will find satisfactory. I suggest that you find a mechanic that is capable of working on diffs (many are not) and let him sort it out for you.

For your next repair, I suggest that you start out by reviewing the service manual first, in order to ascertain what tools, parts, and skills you will need to complete the service.
 
Cruiserdrew said:
Replace that gear oil, yours looks like baby poop.
Click to expand...

Eww.. sounds like a man that's changed his share of diapers.

Provided it's not mixing with the gorrilla snot in the birfs, I'd run $6 worth of Coastal though it for a few weeks to help clean it out, then drain and fill it with some good stuff like Chevon Delo.

:beer:
Rookie2
 
Rich said:
Nyk, there is a lot of good technical advise being offered in this posting. I have some non technical advice to offer. Based on the good questions that you have posted, I believe that you have the willingness, but lack the expertise to perform this repair in a manner that you will find satisfactory. I suggest that you find a mechanic that is capable of working on diffs (many are not) and let him sort it out for you.

For your next repair, I suggest that you start out by reviewing the service manual first, in order to ascertain what tools, parts, and skills you will need to complete the service.
Click to expand...


Exactly what I was thinking. I thought I could tackle it but first project being messing with my axle was probaly not the best thing. The 80 sits in my driveway on jack stands until Wed. when I get a mechanic to come look. Basically I've taken off the seal and put in a new one. Now I'm not going to mess with the pinion nut, wait till I can find someone who knows.
 
NYK, don't feel bad, I had a nonleaking pinion seal. I then rebuilt the diff (that didn't need rebuilding but I did anyway as I had the parts). The seal leaked there after. I replaced it again, it leaked. After somehelp from the MUD I put some FIPG on the seal and wow, no more leak :)

I have given the MUD many good laughs with one or two of my projects :D
 
Yeah, well I now have bad news...my friend whos fixed the seal on his rig before was going to come help me complete the project effectivley is leaving to out of town for another week, maybe permanent (going off to college). So now I'm back to trying again..


Toruqe the pinion nut to the set inch per lbs, hook the driveshaft and everythign else back up and fnished.....right? Or should I just tow it and send it to Land Cruiser speacialties? Trying not to do that b/c It'll drain all my funds right now for college in the fall.
 
landtoy80 said:
NYK, don't feel bad, I had a nonleaking pinion seal. I then rebuilt the diff (that didn't need rebuilding but I did anyway as I had the parts). The seal leaked there after. I replaced it again, it leaked. After somehelp from the MUD I put some FIPG on the seal and wow, no more leak :)

I have given the MUD many good laughs with one or two of my projects :D
Click to expand...


whats FIPG?
 
FIPG is a fancy way sealant.
Fromed In Place Gasket

You tighten the pinion mut and check how it truns back in forth within the back lash of the gear.
When you turn the pinion, it turn a little before it makes contact with the teeth of the of the gear.
measure how hard the pinion turns, turn the pinion clockwise untill it makes the gear,you then turn it conterclockwise with the dial in/ft guage. You check it back and forth tightening the pinion nut little by little untill you get about 4.3-6.9 INCH POUNDS. Stake the nut and off you go. Make sure you have gear oil in the diff first.
 
How do you stake the nut?

heres pics of the pinion nut, trying to make sure i'm talking about the right thing



mvc016s.jpg



mvc015s.jpg



Only torque wrench I can find in my garage is a foot/lb. I assume I need to find one that read/torques inch per pounds.....
 
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Look at your old nut. See it had a dent in the neck of it.
Use a punch, screwdriver or chisel and hammer it in the grove of the threads on the pinion.
 
landtoy80 said:
Look at your old nut. See it had a dent in the neck of it.
Use a punch, screwdriver or chisel and hammer it in the grove of the threads on the pinion.
Click to expand...



Old nut? Thats the nut I pulled off the pinion. My father had the birfields repacked I assume not too long ago b/c this nut is new.
 
Torquemeter. Thats the tool I borrow from the guy that helped me rebuild my diff. He has a lot of snapon tools that just sit there doing nothing.
I didn't know its called a torquemeter. I thought it was a dial torque wrench, learn something new every day.
You can get a cheap on at bearing shops or parts stores. They might even have one for rent.
 
So, get the torque meter and tighten the bolt until I get tthe pinion nut to 5 in/lbs?
 
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