Re: Rear Pinion Crush Spacer

Posted by Peter Packard On 2015/9/29 17:15:42

It really doesn't matter which lock nut you have. In my experience once they have been on and off a few times they change in the effort required to tighten. Also normally only one wheel, with the least resistance will turn. It will also take more than the 2 ft/lbs to turn the pinion as there are now other bearings and seals involved. The crush washer may also be different than the factory setting if attempts have been made to overtighten the nut.
At this stage you should back off the lock nut and retighten until you can only just move the pinion in and out of mesh a few thou by hand ( you will probably be able to discern about 20 thou). I would then measure the amount of torque required to rotate an axle. I would then tighten the nut a quarter turn at a time and remeasure the torque to turn the axle. As soon as the torque required to turn the axle increases by 2 ft lbs. I would leave it at that as you should be touching the crush washer. Normally you should have about 1.5 threads showing proud of the locknut, although if the crush washer has had a hard time, there may be another thread or so showing.

Is that any clearer? PT