Pinnion nut tried to fall off

[Stomp]

I went up to Oregon to see my folks and when I was getting ready to come home I noticed my rearend leaking like a sive. I thought it was the seal. I was headed home and thought i had better check it out before I get to far from my parents house. I shut it off and left it in gear and rocked it back and forth. I thought oh **!! there goes my rearend again. I went to napa and got a new seal and headed to my parents to tear it apart. Pulled the back cover and everything looked good. Pulled the drive line off and the yoke was about ready to fall off. The nut had backed off and was just barely on.



Must have caught it just in time because I don't think I would have made it home without it coming apart. I took out the barring and everything looked ok so I put it back together with the new seal and some locktite and drove home with no problems so far.



I posted awhile back about turning down the power and every one told me that I should keep my foot out of it. I must say that this is probably the only reason it didn't turn the gears into mush. I also got 16. 8mpg on the way up there thats the best I have seen in a great while. I haven't filled up again to see what I got coming home, but I think it will be as good or better.



Thanx allot to the TDR and everyone that replied to that post.



Stomp

 

[bgilbert]

Stomp what did you use to tighten the pinion nut? The book says it takes between 250-300ftlb of torque to tighten. I'd hammer on it with an impact since I dont have a torque wrench that high. Bill

 

[Stomp]

Yeah I did it with a big 3/4 inch gun don't know how tight it is, but I don't think it will be loosening up anytime soon.



Stomp

 

[Philip]

but I don't think it will be loosening up anytime soon.

Most likely it will.



The pinion nut is a lock nut. If it came loose it eather had a lot of vibration against it or it went bad. Replace the nut. They are only around $3. from Dodge. I keep one hanging on the garage wall at all times.

 

[RonA]

The pinion nut came loose on my old Dana 70. Replaced the nut and retorqued it. Came loose again. Had it looked at , bad news.

Lots of parts and machine work. Went to a Dana 80. I hope yours stays tight.

RonA

 

[Scot]

The nut is usually considered a one use part. Replace it.

 

[Stomp]

Well it looks like I will go to dodge when I get a chance and pick up a new nut. I will keep my eye on it untill then. Thanx for the info.



Stomp

 

[Philip]

I see you looked at the outer bearing on the pinion. The inner one is the one that likes to go out. It has the most load against it of all the bearings in the rear end.



How many miles are on this truck. Around 150k is where the bearings are coming up needing replaced. If the alxe hasn't had normal servicing done on it.



If the new nut and seal starts to leak in a short period of time. That means the pinion is moving around. Replace all the bearings in the axle assy.