Pinion Bearing Preload

1. Install the collapsible spacer onto the drive pinion and install them in the carrier.
2. Place the front pinion bearing in position on the pinion. Hold the pinion fully forward and drive the pinion bearing over the pinion until seated.
3. Apply gear lubricant to the lip of the pinion oil seal and install the pinion oil seal into the carrier.
4. Install the companion flange on the pinion by tapping with a plastic hammer.
5. Install the pinion washer and nut. Before tightening the nut (when the pinion preload is zero), determine the oil seal drag by using a torque wrench.
6. Torque the pinion nut to 101 ft.lb. and check the preload. After preload has been checked, final tightening should be done very cautiously.
7. The pinion nut should be further tightened only a little at a time and preload should be checked after each slight amount of tightening. Exceeding preload specifications will compress the collapsible spacer too far, necessitating its replacement. The maximum torque of the nut is 145 ft.lb. If the specified preload is not obtained after tightening the nut to the maximum torque of 145 ft.lb., replace the collapsible spacer.
8. While observing the proceeding caution, carefully set the preload drag at 9 to 7.8 to 12.2 in.lb. plus the oil seal drag determined in Step 5. If the preload is measured by using a spring scale at the bolt hole of the companion flange, the preload range drag is 4.6 - 7.3 lbs.