Help! Front pinion seal is leaking.

[rman45]

I have located the leak, but about snapped my back in half trying to loosen the nut. Any ideas? Any suggestions? This thing is driving me nuts. Thanks.

 

[76zimmer]

3/4 drive breaker bar with a cheater pipe on it.
Or 175# air gun.

 

[medicdave]

Had to cut the ones off my one tons, not so hot if your saving gour gears...

 

[76zimmer]

I believe the crush sleeve in the pinion should be changed when the yoke is removed to reset proper pinion depth.

 

[rman45]

I have never done this repair before, is this something I should open up or should I send it out to someone more qualified. The "proper pinion depth" thing is beyond my understanding at this point.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Which front axle do you have?

Most D44's (and AFAIK all GM D44's) use shims and hence you can remove the yoke without upsetting the pinion bearing preload.

All 10 bolts use crush sleeves, and if you remove the pinion nut you will ruin the pinion bearing preload. The only correct way to fix this is to dissasemble the diff, replace the crush sleeve and reset the pinion bearing preload.

 

[rman45]

Not sure which diff it is. What do I look for to determine which one I have?

 

[Avery4jc]

Look at the shape of the diff cover...

D44

10b

http://coloradok5.com/axleguide.shtml

 

[Chevy305]

3/4 drive breaker bar with a cheater pipe on it.
Or 175# air gun.

Definately going to need something much stronger than 175 pounds....

My gun is 750 pounds and it even still has some trouble with some pinion nuts.

 

[Stomis]

Which front axle do you have?

Most D44's (and AFAIK all GM D44's) use shims and hence you can remove the yoke without upsetting the pinion bearing preload.

All 10 bolts use crush sleeves, and if you remove the pinion nut you will ruin the pinion bearing preload. The only correct way to fix this is to dissasemble the diff, replace the crush sleeve and reset the pinion bearing preload.

True by the book but many will tell you its not necessary.

 

[76zimmer]

Definately going to need something much stronger than 175 pounds....

My gun is 750 pounds and it even still has some trouble with some pinion nuts.

I meant air pressure not gun output.

 

[rman45]

I have the D44! I went to Sears this morning, got the correct size socket and bought a 600# Craftsman impact gun. The nut came right off, and I did count the number of revolutions until it was off, as well as marking the position before I removed it. I got the yoke off, and remove the seal, and the "plate" around it. The sudden splash of diff fluid in the face was a nice surprise, but I do love the smell, so enjoyed that as much as one should. So, before heading to the parts store, is there ANYTHING I should be aware of before installing the new parts? Thanks to everyone who has replied so far, it has helped a ton, though I may not be done yet, so keep the advice coming.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Use a NEW pinion nut, they are one time use and will destroy the diff if they come loose.

 

[Chevy305]

make sure you oil the new seal before installing it.

 

[82355]

Which front axle do you have?

Most D44's (and AFAIK all GM D44's) use shims and hence you can remove the yoke without upsetting the pinion bearing preload.

All 10 bolts use crush sleeves, and if you remove the pinion nut you will ruin the pinion bearing preload. The only correct way to fix this is to dissasemble the diff, replace the crush sleeve and reset the pinion bearing preload.

I bolded "correct". I have done it "incorrectly" many times.

Martin