Low preload on old pinion

[zhgrou6]

I am starting to replace the pinion seal on my 1985 K4 rear axle. I measured the preload rotational torque to be 1.2 in lb CW and 1.1 CCW. Seems too low. Spec I found in another thread is: Pinion bearing preload new 20-25 in. lbs. / used 5-15 in. lbs. I measured with rear wheels and drums off. Pinion shaft has no play sideways or in and out. I can feel some back lash when I turn the pinion yoke, normal. When I reassemble the pinion I'll try to return to same rotation torque adding 1 to 5 in lbs for drag caused by new seal (according to Haynes manual). Perhaps my preload is so low because my gear lube is low. That's why I'm replacing the seal. Any comments?

 

[ryan22re]

i usually set the preload with no fluid in it so...not sure that that has anything to do with it. sounds very low to be 1.1 in lbs...not sure why...maybe seal worn...bearings worn...any other ideas?

ryan

 

[zhgrou6]

Seal was destroyed

Worn seal - yeah, when I removed the yoke I found the rubber part of the seal just hanging on the shaft. It was completly detatched from the seal shell. So if resistance from the seal is part of the preload torque spec - I had none. That could explain the low preload torque I measured.

 

[sweetk30]

gm tech told me to take chisle and hammer and marke end of pinon shaft and nut. remove nut do work and put back on and have nut mark just past pinon mark by a hair. works great for him over the years.

 

[perp]

I can't help with the preload, but I am curious as to what a K4 is?