Pinion Seal Replacement, Noticed differential shaft has a lot of play.

[Reaper22]

So my pinion deal decided to throw gear oil all over my truck last weekend so I’m replacing it. 2 questions, first any tips on getting this seal to come out? I’ve been working at it with a hammer and screwdrivers and it doesn’t want to go. Also, not sure of the name but the input Shaft of the differential has a LOT of play. It’s moving around a ton when I’m going at the seal with the screwdriver. Really hoping this is normal, needing a rear end would not make me happy. I took a video of the play but I’m not sure how I could get it to post here. It’s moving quite a bit, though. Any advice is helpful, thanks! 

Edited June 4, 2020 by Reaper22

[IBMobile]

2 hours ago, Reaper22 said:

the input Shaft of the differential has a LOT of play.

That "input shaft" is the other end of the pion gear as in ring and pion.  There should be 0 play in it side to side or in and out.  you need to take the diff cover off and inspect what's going on in there.   I think you may have some bad bearings.

[Dieselfuture]

Without the nut outer bearing could of slid out some and that's why it's lose. Or if it's still tight on the pinion and against the race then it could be wore out and took the seal out.

[CUMMINSDIESELPWR]

the pinion shaft will wobble when nut is off, here is a vid

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEQBac8gkeg

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHj_SR7Dl34

 

 

that seal is not an easy one to get out, its beefy. when mine was done we had truck on a lift and dude used a seal pry puller and almost lifted himself off the ground pulling it out.

 

pinion yoke nut 450-500ft/lb

http://dodgeram.org/tech/specs/axle/286RBI_specs.html

Edited June 5, 2020 by CUMMINSDIESELPWR

[Royal Squire]

If pinion wobbled before removing nut you have a bearing problem. 

[CUMMINSDIESELPWR]

56 minutes ago, Royal Squire said:

If pinion wobbled before removing nut you have a bearing problem. 

true, if that were the case the diff would be destroyed i think lol

[Reaper22]

1 hour ago, CUMMINSDIESELPWR said:

the pinion shaft will wobble when nut is off, here is a vid

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEQBac8gkeg

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHj_SR7Dl34

 

 

that seal is not an easy one to get out, its beefy. when mine was done we had truck on a lift and dude used a seal pry puller and almost lifted himself off the ground pulling it out.

 

pinion yoke nut 450-500ft/lb

http://dodgeram.org/tech/specs/axle/286RBI_specs.html

Well I got the seal pulled renting a slide hammer from the autozone, shaft doesn’t wobble with everything put back together. I read that the 450-500ft lb was only for the Dana 80 and the Dana 70 gets a 200-250ft lb torque. Either way I had to scribe the nut  and just put it back where it was since I didn’t have a torque wrench with that capability. Job went smooth and no leaks this morning so we’re all good!

thanks guys 

[Evan]

It can survive alot of play.

My dana 80 is slowly eating itself has been for  few years. 

Get that nut as tight as you can by whatever means you can. 

 

I pierced the seal getting mine out. Just finesse with happier punches and screwdriver removed it.Turns out my bearings are so sloppy it just took the new seal out. But it doesn't leak much.

 

Good luck I hope it doesn't start leaking right away