Pinion nut torque.

[lah2420]

I've found a problem with my rear pinion yoke. A new one is on the way along with a new seal. I've searched here and elsewhere and am getting a host of conflicting information. My Haynes book says to torque to 17 ft/lbs in the specs. Then, in the instructions, it says to check what the preload is and to set it at that level plus 5 in/lbs. Having no idea what they are talking about, I searched. I have found several sites that start at finger tight plus 1/16 of a turn to 150 ft/lbs. I know the actual setting is somewhere in between, but haven't got a clue as to how tight to torque the nut. Any help? Also, what's the difference between the preload and the torque?

 

[currupt4130]

Tight.


Preload concerns the bearings. It's how much force is required to turn the pinion.

Torque is how tight you tighten the nut. 150ft/lbs of torque is how tight the pinion nut should be.

 

[lah2420]

I think a mechanic will be doing this one. The flywheel at 120 lbs nearly killed me. I don't think I want to be trying for 150 while laying on my back under the jeep.

 

[Utah_jeepster]

it takes about 150 to 200 lbs originally to set the crush washer to the right pre-load on the pinion nut, if your replacing the nut then set to 15 inch lbs of resistance while the tires are off the ground. this is a turning resistance at the pinion yoke, it will take about 150 to 200 lbs to get it, go slow here as to not to re-crush the the crush washer any more or you will have to replace it and start the pre-load process over again.
A large pipe wrench helps by holding the yoke as you apply torque to the pinion nut.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Follow the instructions here under "Pinion Shaft Seal Replacement".

 

[lah2420]

Thanks Bounty. Now I understand what they are talking about between torque and preload. I couldn't understand how you could torque something to 150 ft-lbs and maintain a setting of in-lbs on the bearing. It makes sense when it's clearly written out. I still have my doubts of reaching 150 ft-lbs with 12 inches of space and laying on my back though. It still may go visit a mechanic with a rack to put it on.

 

[Utah_jeepster]

like I wrote use a pipe wrench on the yoke and the torque wrench in the other hand and apply opposite pressure sounds like a lot but it isnt that much.
If your jeep isnt lifted and sitting on 40's you could have the handle against the ground.

 

[jfrabat]

I still have my doubts of reaching 150 ft-lbs with 12 inches of space and laying on my back though. It still may go visit a mechanic with a rack to put it on.

You can always use a cheater bar to get the last ft/lbs in... I did it like this when I installed the SYE, and it was SOOOOO much easier to tighten everything... I dont remember what the torque setting was, but I do think it was 150 ft/lbs. And with the cheater bar it was not difficult at all to achieve!

Felipe