Front axle pinion seal replacement.

[Odp]

I need to replace the front pinion seal on my 05s front axle. Once you take the the u joint carrier loose and pull it to access the seal do you have to deal with checking the backlash or pinion depth etc. ? Or just remove replace and re tourgue the pinion nut ? Ive heard and seen mixed instructions on this. Just would like to hear from someone who has done it.

 

[Ozymandias]

Roughly yes, only problem is you have a crush sleeve in it that gives the proper preload. So would need to install a new one, torque it down, measure preload snd so on..

If you are adventurous* just make a marker on nut and pinionshaft and after you changed the seal just torque it down to the marker and a tiny tad more.
I've done it more then once that way one Jeeps and never had a failure from doin do.

* means reuse the old crush sleeve.

 

[GT Dodger]

Roughly yes, only problem is you have a crush sleeve in it that gives the proper preload. So would need to install a new one, torque it down, measure preload snd so on..

If you are adventurous* just make a marker on nut and pinionshaft and after you changed the seal just torque it down to the marker and a tiny tad more.
I've done it more then once that way one Jeeps and never had a failure from doin do.

* means reuse the old crush sleeve.

I need to replace the front pinion seal on my 05s front axle. Once you take the the u joint carrier loose and pull it to access the seal do you have to deal with checking the backlash or pinion depth etc. ? Or just remove replace and re tourgue the pinion nut ? Ive heard and seen mixed instructions on this. Just would like to hear from someone who has done it.

When I did mine I used a dial caliper and measured the distance from the nut to the end of the pinion. I tightened the nut back to the same dimension after replacing the seal.

 

[Bob4x4]

There is a procedure in the fsm detailing how to replace the seal,no new crush sleeve required.
There are alternative procedures that can be used if you have the experience to pull it off.
The average diy guy can end up doing more damage by attempting a seal replacement then just keeping an eye on the fluid level till it becomes more then a slight seepage

 

[NonFord]

I need to replace the front pinion seal on my 05s front axle. Once you take the the u joint carrier loose and pull it to access the seal do you have to deal with checking the backlash or pinion depth etc. ? Or just remove replace and re tourgue the pinion nut ? Ive heard and seen mixed instructions on this. Just would like to hear from someone who has done it.

On my 04, I followed these instructions on mine and had no issues....Great instructions by the way!
http://www.carbonitecummins.com/Documents/Front Pinion Seal.pdf

 

[Ozymandias]

On my 04, I followed these instructions on mine and had no issues....Great instructions by the way!
http://www.carbonitecummins.com/Documents/Front Pinion Seal.pdf

Good write up, more or less the FSM way to do it. Disassemble the whole axle aside from the Carrier itself.
Not my way as way to much work for the same result as i do it.

 

[Ozymandias]

When I did mine I used a dial caliper and measured the distance from the nut to the end of the pinion. I tightened the nut back to the same dimension after replacing the seal.

You can't go wrong with just mark the nut and the pinion shaft as one turn less will be completely loose and one turn to much would need incredible force to accomplish.

 

[Scott6]

I have been siring the “marker” and “thread counting” for decades now, no issues. I know it’s no the right way, but I give a little on that one.