Assembly & Preload

Coat components with specified lubricant during assembly. If components are reused, they should be installed in original position.
1. Press rear bearing onto pinion using suitable spacers.
2. Install front and rear bearing races in housing, using suitable drivers to ensure that races are properly seated.
3. Install straddle bearing in axle housing using straddle bearing installer tool No. J-23322 or equivalent to ensure that bearing is properly seated.
4. Insert pinion through housing, install new collapsible spacer and front bearing over pinion shaft, support pinion and press front bearing onto shaft.
5. Lubricate lips of new seal with grease and install seal using suitable driver to seat seal against shoulder of housing.
6. Install driveshaft companion flange, washer and new pinion nut.
7. Clamp housing in vise, hold flange with suitable tool and torque pinion nut just until all endplay is removed.
8. Check pinion bearing preload (rotating torque) using suitable torque wrench.
9. Continue tightening pinion nut in small increments until specified preload is obtained, checking preload after each adjustment. Exceeding specified preload will collapse spacer too far to be reused. If preload specification is exceeded, spacer must be replaced and adjustment procedure must be repeated. Do not loosen pinion nut to reduce bearing preload.