Pinion Flange: Service and Repair
Drive Pinion Flange and Drive Pinion Seal
Removal
NOTICE: This operation disturbs the pinion bearing preload. Carefully reset the pinion bearing preload during installation or damage to the component may occur.
NOTE: Remove the rear wheel and tire assemblies, brake calipers and brake discs to prevent brake drag during the drive pinion bearing preload adjustment.
1. Remove the rear brake discs. For additional information, refer to Rear Disc Brake Brake Disc.
2. Remove the rear driveshaft assembly. For additional information, refer to Driveshaft Removal and Replacement.
3. Install a Nm (lb-in) torque wrench on the nut and record the torque necessary to maintain rotation of the drive pinion gear through several revolutions.
4. NOTICE: Install a new pinion nut with the same color as the original if not replacing the collapsible spacer. If a new collapsible spacer is installed, install the nut in the kit or damage to the component may occur.
Using the Drive Pinion Flange Holding Fixture to hold the pinion flange, remove the pinion nut.
- Discard the nut.
5. Index-mark the drive pinion flange and the drive pinion gear stem to maintain initial balance during installation.
6. Using the 2 Jaw Puller, remove the drive pinion flange.
7. Force up on the metal flange of the drive pinion seal. Install gripping pliers and strike with a hammer until the pinion seal is removed.
Installation
1. Lubricate the lips of the new drive pinion seal with grease.
2. NOTE: If the drive pinion seal becomes misaligned during installation, remove it and install a new seal.
Using the Drive Pinion Oil Seal Installer, install the drive pinion seal.
3. Lubricate the drive pinion flange splines with rear axle lubricant.
4. NOTE: Disregard the index marks if installing a new drive pinion flange.
Position the drive pinion flange.
5. Using the Drive Pinion Flange Installer, install the drive pinion flange.
6. NOTICE: The color on the rear face of the drive pinion nut is critical to this repair. Use the same color new drive pinion nut for installation as the original. If a new collapsible spacer must be installed for pinion bearing preload reduction, install the nut supplied with the new spacer or damage to the component may occur.
Select the correct drive pinion nut for installation.
7. Position the new drive pinion nut.
8. NOTICE: Do not under any circumstance loosen the nut to reduce preload. If it is necessary to reduce preload, install a new drive pinion collapsible spacer. If a new collapsible spacer must be installed for pinion bearing preload reduction, install the nut supplied with the new spacer or damage to the component may occur.
NOTE: Remove the Drive Pinion Flange Holding Fixture while taking preload readings with the Nm (inch-pound) torque wrench.
Using the Drive Pinion Flange Holding Fixture to hold the pinion flange, tighten the nut.
- Rotate the pinion occasionally to make sure the pinion bearings seat correctly. Take frequent pinion bearing torque preload readings by rotating the drive pinion gear with a Nm (lb-in) torque wrench.
- If the preload recorded prior to disassembly is lower than the specification for used bearings, tighten the nut to specification. If the preload recorded prior to disassembly is higher than the specification for used bearings, tighten the nut to the original reading as recorded.
- Refer to the torque specification for used pinion bearings in the Specifications information.
9. NOTICE: The driveshaft flange yoke fits tightly on the pinion flange pilot. To make sure that the yoke seats squarely on the flange, tighten the bolts evenly in a cross pattern as shown or damage to the component may occur.
NOTE: Align the index marks.
Install the rear driveshaft. For additional information, refer to Driveshaft Removal and Replacement.
10. Install the rear brake discs. For additional information, refer to Rear Disc Brake Brake Disc.
11. Install the rear wheel and tire. For additional information, refer to Wheels and Tires Removal and Replacement.