### Pinion Seal

#### REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

NOTE: A new companion flange nut is needed before removal. The old nut can not be used.

Fig. 1: The front 4WD differential oil seal is located behind the companion flange

1. Disconnect the front driveshaft assembly.
2. To remove the companion flange, use a chisel and hammer to loosen the staked part of the nut. Retain the flange with one too while removing the nut.

   Fig. 2: always use a chisel and hammer to loosen the staked nut

3. Using a forced screw typed puller, remove the companion flange.

   Fig. 3: Use a screw type puller and remove the companion flange . . .

   Fig. 4: . . . then extract the oil seal using a puller

4. Place a seal puller onto the end of the shaft and extract the oil seal from the differential. Then remove the oil slinger.

   To install:

5. Apply MP grease to the new oil seal. Using a driver and hammer, carefully tap the new oil seal into position on the end of the differential.
6. Uaing the forced screw type puller again, install the companion flange on the drive pinion.
   1. Apply a light coat of gear oil on the threads of the new companion flange nut. Retain the flange and tighten the nut to 80 ft. lbs. (108 Nm).
7. Using a torque wrench, measure the preload of the backlash between the drive pinion and ring gear.
   - New bearing — 8.7–13.9 inch lbs. (1.0–1.6 Nm)
   - Reused bearing — 4.3–6.9 inch lbs. (0.5–0.8 Nm)
8. If the preload is greater than specification, replace the bearing spacer.

   Fig. 5: Use a torque meter to measure the preload of the backlash between the drive pinion and ring gear

9. If the preload is less than specification, retighten the nut to 9 ft. lbs. (13 Nm) a little at a time until the specified preload is reached.
10. If the maximum torque is exceeded while retightening the nut, replace the bearing spacer and repeat the preload procedure. Do not back-off the pinion nut to reduce preload. Maximum torque is 174 ft. lbs. (235 Nm).
11. Stake the drive pinion nut.
12. Connect the front driveshaft.
13. Check the differential fluid level.