Differential Help!!!!

[RichardLSX]

Long Story. At first my stock open-diff went out on me, so I when ahead and got me a 4.56/tru-trac from "Ron's Machining Services" (Good Guy by the way). After finally deciding on who was going to be performing the install, I decided on a mechanic whom "supposedly" said he knew how to install a differential perfectly. Well he didn't he did something wrong and the diff was whining like crazy. Finally I bought a new gear set, got this one installed and seems quite now. But one more problem, now I have a leak coming from the pinion seal?? Ive bought the seal already, But I read your supposed to use a New pinion nut everytime. So I wanted to know How much do I torque the nut down too? Is the yoke suppose to have some play?? Mine turns a bit back and forth, and I don't know if thats normal.

Thanks In Advance

[RedHeartbeat]

You have trouble if your pinion moves in and out. Quit driving it until you get it fixed. Two bad rear end builds in a row. Take it to someone that knows what they're doing.

[oleshifty]

Sometimes it's worth the money. Spend the extra couple hundred now, and save the money on a tow/rebuild later. The tools for rears and the experience needed to do them RIGHT just isn't something must of us here can do.

[ImportThis]

where are you located?? i'm in Paris Texas, i would be happy to check it out for you.. i have done 100+ rear ends in the last couple years, and i have never torqued a pinion nut, its all a feel thing for me.. but i do recommend using new nuts every time.. if it moves any at all, you have issues and as stated, do not drive until fixed..

on a note about gears whining, a lot of times, it is not an installer error.. certain brands of gears (Richmond and Yukon namely) do whine.. I will not install Richmond gears, and Yukons if i can help it, but sometimes thats all i can find for certain ratios..

[RichardLSX]

Well this set of gears aint whinning, "thank God", and the yoke turns just a bit, but not in and out, just turns a little bit, Im located in Pasadena, TX by the way

[ImportThis]

Side to side turn is just the backlash of the gears.. That is fine.. In and out would be bad.. You shouldn't have more than about 1/8th turn max depending on how loose or tight your rear end is set up..? Sorry I can't help you with tork specs, I've just never done it that way..

[skeet]

Side to side turn is just the backlash of the gears.. That is fine.. In and out would be bad.. You shouldn't have more than about 1/8th turn max depending on how loose or tight your rear end is set up..? Sorry I can't help you with tork specs, I've just never done it that way..

1/8th max? thats .125 which is way to much for backlash

[ImportThis]

if you grab the pinion yoke, and turn it, you shouldnt turn it more than 1/8th of a rotation.. you shouldnt be able to turn it anywhere near that much on a street driven vehicle, but i have seen them in dirt modifieds that are set up that loose..

[RichardLSX]

Thanks for the replies, I read there should be 15-17 inch preload on it, not torqued. Hopefully I can fix the leak myself