Seal - Pinion

REMOVAL
1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Mark the universal joint, pinion yoke, and pinion shaft for reference.
3. Disconnect the drive shaft from the pinion yoke. Secure the drive shaft in an upright position to prevent damage to the universal joint.
4. Disconnect the half shafts from the rear axle.
5. Rotate the pinion gear three or four times.
6. Measure the amount of torque necessary to rotate the pinion gear with an (inch lbs.) dial-type torque wrench. Record the torque reading for installation reference.
7. Using a short piece of pipe and Holder 6958 to hold the pinion yoke, remove the pinion yoke nut and washer.
8. Use Remover C-452 and Wrench C-3281 to remove the pinion yoke.
9. Mark the positions of the yoke and pinion gear for installation alignment reference.

Fig. 4:

10. Use Remover 7794-A and slide hammer to remove the pinion shaft seal (Fig. 4).


INSTALLATION

Fig. 5:

1. Apply a light coating of gear lubricant on the lip of pinion seal. Install seal with Installer C-3972-A and Handle C-4171 (Fig. 5).
2. Align the installation reference marks and position the yoke on the pinion gear.
3. Install yoke on the pinion gear with Installer C-3718 and Holder 6958.

CAUTION: Do not exceed the minimum tightening torque when installing the pinion yoke retaining nut at this point. Damage to collapsible spacer or bearings may result.

4. Install a new nut on the pinion gear. Tighten the nut only enough to remove the shaft end play.

Fig. 6:

5. Rotate the pinion shaft using a (inch lbs.) torque wrench. Rotating resistance torque should be equal to the reading recorded during removal, plus an additional 0.56 Nm (5 inch lbs.) (Fig. 6).
6. If the rotating torque is low, use Holder 6958 to hold the pinion yoke, and tighten the pinion shaft nut in 6.8 Nm (5 ft. lbs.) increments until proper rotating torque is achieved.

CAUTION: If the maximum tightening torque is reached prior to reaching the required rotating torque, the collapsible spacer may have been damaged. Replace the collapsible spacer.

7. Align the installation reference marks and attach the drive shaft to the yoke.

CAUTION: The drive shaft strap bolts incorporate a Loctite patch for retention on initial installation. These screws must be replaced with new pieces or cleaned and Loctite thread locker applied whenever they are removed.

CAUTION: Replace drive shaft universal joint straps whenever they are removed. The straps slightly deform when torqued in place. Reuse of the straps may result in reduced clamp load on the universal joint cap.

8. Fill the rear axle with Mopar Synthetic Gear & Axle Lubricant 75W-140 (MS-8985), if necessary.
9. Lower the vehicle.