Rear pinion torque problem

I just changed the oil seal for the rear pinion on a Dana 44. I can only get about 50 lbs on the torque wrench and the yoke is difficult to turn. I read that 200-220 ft/lbs is the proper toque. I am nowhere near that.
1. Would the oil seal cause this problem if I installed it backwards.
2. which way does the oil seal go.

 

Thats inch pounds
You need a smaller torque wrench for this that measures inchs.

Here is my favorite artical on diff. setup.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/articles/tech/billavista/Gear_Setup

 

The nut that holds the rear yoke to the pinion that the axle shaft bolts to is in "inch pounds". I read where guys are using cheeter bars to torque this nut, am I wrong.

 

Still waking up.
The inch pound one is for the preload and the foot pound is for the yoke which is what you want to know about ....my fault.

Heres what you do, take a piece of pipe and drill 2 holes in it so you can bolt it on to the yoke. Not across the yoke but 2 on one side of the yoke this is now a cheater bar.

Heres a pic of a nice homade one.
http://www.flatfenders.org/rearaxle6/id226.html

dont forget to put some sealent on the yoke splines sometimes it will leak out through the splines.(atv)

 

I have big pipe wrench to keep the yoke from turning when I am torqueing the pinion nut. The problem is that about 50 ft/lbs the yoke(axle) is very difficult to turn almost like there is too much load. I am nowhere near the required 200 ft/lbs.

 

Hmm havnt had that happen to me but somebody else may have.
I wouldnt think the seal could cause this as it is a press fit and it would just go in more as you torque it down..

Is it possible it was like this before you put the new seal in.?

I am assuming you just replaced the seal only and havnt taken the pinion out?

 

Yes, I changed the seal only. The nut I took off with a impact and it did not take an extreme amount of effort. I punched a mark on the nut and yoke so I could line up on install.

 

Dont have an answer for that but somebody here will I bet just wait a day.
they say to use a new nut when ever you take it off. BTW.

You probably allready know this but did you clean the threads up good.
if dirty you can get false readings just a thought.

 

Isn't the seal a "crush" seal? I know I had to use a cheater bar about 4' long to get mine to the 200 ft/lbs.

 

Can anyone tell me if this is the correct rear pinion oil seal for a dana 44 and did I install it properly. Napa part # 15788
View attachment 15498

View attachment 15499

 

Looks backwards.
And it should be flush.

 

looks like you need a new seal as that one is mangled. Looks like you need to seat it deeper in the axle as well.

 

I do not think so. When the nut is tightened to the correct specs "200 ft/lbs" is the yoke difficult to turn. Mine is difficult to turn with no where near the torque spec.

 

GK,

The site Rick gave you for the set-up is pretty good and the pipe wrench idea is exactly what I use.

The Dana 44 uses shims to adjust the preload on the pinion shaft and the high torque (about 200 foot pounds) is correct for the pinion nut. Make sure that you turn the pinion shaft a little as you tighten the pinion nut. This will seat the bearing evenly. If you still have high torque rotating the pinion shaft, then you will have to take the differential apart and find out why. That becomes a project.

It could be possible that the last guy before you that changed the seal, tightened the nut just enough to get the correct torque for turning the pinion shaft, which is not correct.

Some diffs use a crush sleeve to set the pinion shaft torque. In this case, the pinion nut torque will be much less than 200 foot pounds.

 

GK,

In the last sentence to my previous reply I said "Some diffs use a crush sleeve to set the pinion shaft torque. In this case, the pinion nut torque will be much less than 200 foot pounds."

It should read "Some diffs other than the Dana 44......."

 

I just pulled the new oil seal out and a rubber seal came out also that was not part of the seal, where does it go.

 

There is no piece of rubber. Was it part of a previous oil seal? Looks like you may have found your preload problem.

 

Hate to admit it, but I had the same problem when I replaced my rear pinion seal. Had it in backwards. Pulled it and put another new seal in and no rubbing problems with the yoke.

I have never been able to get the proper torque on the pinion nut. My wrench does not measure that high - only 150 ft. lbs. Had to bust a gut to get it that high. Been runnin it that way for a year and have had no problems - yet (knocking on wood).

 

FSM # 13 calls it "Gasket" on exploded view of D44 in between the # 12 oil slinger and # 14 pinion oil seal. If changing the seal do I need this gasket. Which way does the new seal go.

 

Thats weird I dont have one in mine.

Look here.

http://www.flatfenders.org/rearaxle5/id220.html