Pinion Flange & Oil Seal: Removal
- Drain differential gear oil. Place reference mark onto drive shaft companion flange and companion flange on differential for reassembly reference. Remove drive shaft companion flange bolts/nuts and separate drive shaft from differential assembly.
- Using hammer and chisel, loosen stake area on drive pinion nut. Remove drive pinion nut and washer (if equipped).
- Using puller, remove companion flange from drive pinion. Using puller, remove oil seal from differential carrier. Note direction of oil slinger installation. Remove oil slinger. Using puller, remove rear bearing from drive pinion. Remove and discard spacer from drive pinion. See Fig 1, Fig 2 or Fig 3 .
NOTE:
Always replace spacer whenever drive pinion nut is loosened or removed.
Fig 1: Exploded View Of Front Differential Assembly With Automatic Disconnecting Differential (Tacoma & 4Runner)