Pinion Bearing Preload
- Place pre-selected shim on pinion shaft, then press bearing onto shaft until bearing and shim are firmly seated against shaft shoulder. Install new collapsible spacer on pinion shaft. Lubricate bearings with axle lubricant. Install front pinion bearing in housing, then install new pinion oil seal.
- Insert companion flange into seal and hold firmly in place. From rear of carrier housing, insert pinion shaft into flange. Start a new pinion nut on pinion shaft and gradually tighten pinion nut (hold flange), checking pinion bearing preload often. As soon as preload is measured, turn pinion shaft in both directions several times to seat bearings.
- Tighten pinion nut and continue to measure pinion bearing preload until specified pinion torque is obtained. If bearing preload is exceeded before torque specification is reached, replace collapsible spacer, install new pinion nut and repeat procedure. Do not loosen pinion nut to reduce pinion bearing preload.