rear differential question - Diesel Forum

brandan · 09-05-2006, 10:39 PM

one of my rear u joint bolts broke mysteriously and left half of it in the yoke. i want to take the pinion nut off to get the yoke off so i can put it in a vice and try to get the remains of the bolt out. my question is can i just put the yoke back on without worry or do i have to check the gear adjustment and stuff?

brandan

buford856 · 09-05-2006, 10:44 PM

As long as you dont take anything out but the yoke you will be fine. Just be careful not to damage the oil seal when you reinstall the yoke.

Briansshop · 09-05-2006, 10:49 PM

You can prob get away w/it,but to do it the right way you would need to pull the carrier out to set the pinion preload.Just a little more work and you know it's right.

Brian

Tom S · 09-05-2006, 11:10 PM

Can you pull and replace the carrier without screwing with any of the setup. I just want to know in case this every happens to me.

Tom

Fishmanndotcom · 09-05-2006, 11:48 PM

yes, as long as you dont loosen the ring gear and put all the shims and bolts back EXACTLY as they came out you are fine. i have had to pull my carrier out and replace it on the trail while sitting next to a stream on a rock in my 72 bronco. i carry a spare for that! lol

-cutts-

PowerFiend · 09-06-2006, 12:12 AM

Definetly do it right. If you loosen the pinion nut, you should remove the carrier and set the preload on the pinion; there really isn't any shortcuts for doing that the right way. IMO I would try to repair the yoke on the truck, even though its a real PITA it would probably be easier in the long run. Get yourself a good set of extractors and go to town. Good luck.

-Peter

brandan · 09-06-2006, 10:04 PM

ok i tried to drill and extract but didnt work and ended up screwing up the threads. i put a new yoke on and tightened it down to what i think the same spot was before. does anyone have a link or instructions on how to adjust the preload?

thanks

brandan

Briansshop · 09-06-2006, 11:18 PM

Brandan, you need a new crush collar and seal for the pinion.The carrier needs to be out of the housing.You hold the yoke and tighten the pinion nut until you reach a set amount of "drag" or pre-load on the pinion bearings.You check it by turning the pinion w/a dial or analog reading in.lbs. torque wrench.There's a pic in my album on the second page of the holding tool I made for the yoke,and you can see the pipe on the 3/4 ratchet-it takes ALOT of torque to crush that collar!Take a look at www.ringpinion.com,I think they have some instructions on there, or I can give you somemore detail if you think you're going to try it.

Brian