Re: Is there easy way to set the 20 inch pounds load on pinion nut?
 

Gary has it right in reply #20. By a couple of the replies I had the feeling that some thought the 20 inch pounds of force was the tightening torque on the 2 nuts rather than the turning torque of the pinion gear.

I just noticed the title of this thread could be what's misleading some to think the torque is on the tightening torque on the nuts rather than the turning torque of the driveshaft.

Re: Is there easy way to set the 20 inch pounds load on pinion nut?
 

I turned a block of wood in lathe that fit the pinion shaft, then put screws through sides to lock it to shaft, before that cut square hole to fit 1/4 drive inch pound torque wrench...it worked great and I set mine at 15 inch pounds...have to be very careful turning wrench or it clicks...

Re: Is there easy way to set the 20 inch pounds load on pinion nut?
 

I noticed the same. It seems that some thought we meant torque on the pinion bearing nuts. In post #4 , Isaid that I set mine by feel so that the DRIVE SHAFT could be barely turned with two fingers, when good used bearings were used and a bit tighter wioth new bearings. Its the feel on the drive shaft. not the pinion nuts. I think that the confusion started on post #7 when it was said that it could be undone without a wrench. Actually the pinion nuts need to be purty tight to get the proper feel for the drag when turning the drive shaft with two fingers.

Re: Is there easy way to set the 20 inch pounds load on pinion nut?
 

Yes, the nuts should be quite tight. I used a plasma cutter, sanding belt, and files to make these two wrenches for working on the pinion nuts. When you tighten the first nut against the pinion bearing to set the preload, then tighten the second nut against the first nut and washer, you will add slightly to the preload. If you run the second nut up to the first nut and washer finger tight, then tighten the first nut against the second nut (second nut stays still and first nut is loosened), you will loose a bit of preload. So as I tighten the two nuts I start with the bearing preload on the light side, then when the second nut is tightened against the first nut the preload will be correct.

Are we totally confused yet?:D

Re: Is there easy way to set the 20 inch pounds load on pinion nut?
 

I agree with Gary on using an inch pound torque wrench and a 1 1/16 socket on the end of the drive shaft. Anything else is a farmer fix and a wild guess at a critical measurement.

I borrowed a 1/4 inch drive "Snap On" brand inch pound torque wrench from a friend and then went to Harbor Freight and bought one of theirs for less than $10. To my surprise both wrenches gave the exact same reading at 20 inch pounds (new bearings).

Re: Is there easy way to set the 20 inch pounds load on pinion nut?
 

Hey Curt,
Congrats for getting IT done :) ! So, tell us if you GUESSED like a lot of guys responded ?
For the next time...I want to let you know what an old timer showed me as I watched him do this work.
Super simple: He wrapped a rope around the shaft. Then he tied the rope onto a inch/lb scale the he held in his hand. Then he pulled/adjusted until he got the necessary inch lb reading. Smartest model A guy I ever met...after Jim b :D