Pinion seal replacement

[cwmcobra]

I'm changing the pinion seal in a Ford 9" rear end. This rear end was recently rebuilt and has not been run. Just started leaking sitting in the garage!

I've taken the pinion yoke off and removed the old seal. From what I've read, I should smear RTV on the outside of the new seal before tapping it in place. Also recommended to put thread sealer on the pinion splines before faatening the yoke. Here's the part I'm having trouble with. Since I haven't changed the bearing clearances and the crush sleeve was already torqued in place, I'm simply reattaching the pinion nut. What torque should I use? Certainly not the 175-220 ft.-lbs. it takes to crush the sleeve, right?

Something so simple can be so complex

Thanks for your advice.

Chuck

[Pete Wolff]

cwmcobra,

The crush collar is ment to be used as a one shot deal. I have changed pinion seals in the past using the following technique. Mark the pinion nut with a line indexing it to the pinion then back the nut off and remove the yoke. Remove and replace the seal . Reinstall the yoke with some silicone sealer on the pinion splines. Reinstall the pinion nut and torque until the marks you made line up . You have now duplicated crush that you had previously. It has worked for me..