2007, 5.9, 11.5 AAM rear axle. Need pinion seal

[Motorhead]

At 117,000 mile service, I noticed my rear differential is seeping at the pinion. I have the big AAM rear differential. I believe it is the 11.5 inch. I am going to have a trans and axle shop replace it for me.
Anything to look out for or to tell the mechanic? He is a friend of mine.
Also, Do I order a pinion seal from the dealer or are the aftermarket seals just as good? I just don't want any China garbage.

 

[petersonj]

I would have a source for a seal / wear sleeve combination ready, or just be proactive and get one. Many times there is a grove worn into the machined area where the seal lip rides. If the seal only is replaced, the seal may start leaking a short time later.

- John

 

[Ozymandias]

Pinion seal and crushable spacer you need if the job should be done properly.
And tool wise a holder for the pinion flange.

 

[sag2]

If it is seeping and not actually dripping on the ground I would leave it alone. The correct repair involves setting the turning torque, almost no one does it that way. I have seen many just mark the nut and go back there, usually with an impact. You should really use a holder and long wrench instead. If you don't get the pinion set back correctly you risk an early failure or gear noise.

 

[6speed]

I have an 04 and mine only leaks in the winter. Go figure, right? so I have fixed it twice, first time with just a seal then the second time with the sleeve and new seal, Still leaks only in the winter. So now I just check the fluid.

 

[BigPapa]

Are they over filled?

Correct fluid level according to TSB 03-003-06 is 1/4" below the fill hole, not all the way to the bottom of the hole.

 

[6speed]

I have the Mag-tech cover. It could be according to the little dip stick.

 

[Ozymandias]

Are they over filled?

Correct fluid level according to TSB 03-003-06 is 1/4" below the fill hole, not all the way to the bottom of the hole.

I'm not that sure if that is wise, the oil level is already quite low to flow through the axle tubes to the wheel bearings. Making it intentionally lower I don't like that idea.

 

[Motorhead]

I bought one of the Mag-tech covers that has the site glass on it. Handy way to check the gear oil. I have my truck at my friends gear and transmission shop today. Waiting on a seal from the dealer. Get it tomorrow.

 

[Timd32]

I'm with Sag2 precheck and record the rotating torque after the axles are removed. This way you know where to put it back too. Or don't mess with it.

But a real axle shop should be able to handle this.

For folks playing along at home, I picked one of these up to hold the yoke of my little Dana 44, it was a fun project. Had to do all the set up stuff, rotating torque, Pinion depth, backlash, pattern, it was neat. Working with used bearings and ring and pinions are kinda of a compromise deal at times.

It's got alot of holes and should work for most yokes. Pretty heavy duty. The large square is 3/4" drive and the 2 smaller squares are 1/2" drive.

I would have an extra crush deal on hand, I'm sure I would screw it up. Mine used shims and was 220ft lbs for the pinion torque.

Torque King has a great looking kit, and really great expert advice on this repair.

https://torqueking.com/product/8008...for-aam-14-bolt-11-1-2-full-float-rear-axles/

Here are the AllData procedures just to read through, not for the shop.

But really you should not have to provide any instructions to the shop. If so I would not want to risk that friendship if something goes sideways with info you may provide. Never know if there are errors in any of these procedures.

 

[AH64ID]

Are they over filled?

Correct fluid level according to TSB 03-003-06 is 1/4" below the fill hole, not all the way to the bottom of the hole.

Since the spec is 1/4” below the hole, ± 1/4”, it’s nearly impossible to overfill unless you deliberately induce a nose low attitude to fill it.

 

[CVR222NV]

Mine seeps as well. I recalled I had saved a possible up graded modification in my favorites that replaces the end yoke with a GM unit:

https://www.northerndrivetrain.com/product/NDT-00107.html

https://www.northerndrivetrain.com/product/AAM-26060977.html

Has anyone done this modification and if so does it still seep?