Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Rear Pinion Seal Question

[RobertBradford]

This became a job I wish I never thought of. I noticed by pinion seal was leaking on my dana 80 decided to replace it. I have done this job with my old GMC truck so I thought it would be a snap; wrong. After ordering the part and researching my Haynes manual the first thing I encountered a nut that could hold down the Seattle Space Needle so I had to put the drive shaft back in and drive 100 miles round trip ( I'm out in the boonies working at a campground) to buy a socket that had to be ground down to fit. Then I broke a puller trying to get the yoke off so a friend of a friend got me a heavy duty puller. End results got the new seal in and tighten the nut to my tread count and mark.

Here's the question.... I noticed that after the installation the yoke has a little free play. I didn't notice it when taking it apart but then I was looking for it. Is this normal or do I have a problem down the road!!!

 

[JR]

A small amount is normal. Usually what wipes out pinion seals are bad universals, especially the one closest to the rear axle. With the driveshaft removed rotate each individual universal joint and check for any binding or slop.

 

[RobertBradford]

Ok that's good news. I had 320k miles on the old seal and it had little wear on the yoke shaft. I did check the universal joints and they all were tight and moving free. I guess a few miles on her will tell. Thanks for the info, the people on this forum have been great.

 

[gtwitch]

RB--- check the rear differential Vent to make sure the vent is open, I had problems with my 99 2500 and it was in cold weather and on long highway trips and it would push oil out of the seal because the vent line had a droop in it and moisture would freeze and close off the vent and pressure due to temp rise would force oil out around the seal. I had bought a seal and was going to replace it, but when I took the vent line off and blew it out with air and relocated it , without the droop, and changed oil, problem went away and my new seal is still under the back seat and that was 100K miles ago. Others have confirmed this observation also.

gtwitch in wyoming

 

[RobertBradford]

Thanks, I never knew that nor thought of it. I checked the vent today and it was clear. I can see how it could get plugged up. The new seal is still leaking a little but far better than the one I took out. on a 100 mile run I had a little bit run down. The wife just came back from the store, 35 miles round trip, and I had a drop. I quess I'll just keep watching it.

Again thanks for the good info.