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Colonel Biggs · 08-23-2014, 08:05 PM

Thanks for the many comments. I like Steve's thought about the pinion nuts. What I don't understand, though, is that if the lockwasher tabs were set correctly the first time around (about eight years ago), I'm not sure why the nuts would loosen.

Today I moved the rear end back (again) so that I could get a look at the roller bearing at the front of the torque tube. Naturally, the bearing is in great shape, so it looks like I will have to perform another rear end rebuild. Out of curiosity, I measured the pinion bearing pre-load, although I still had gaskets mounted on the axle housings. As I recall, these measurements are supposed to be taken without gaskets in place. The torque came out to about 70 inch pounds, well above the 20 level recommended. But, as I noted, I had gaskets mounted since I haven't started the disassembly yet, so the measurement may be meaningless.

Bob Rentz once made a holding fixture for the axles, which simplified life somewhat. Does anyone sell such a tool today?

Again, thanks for the thoughts expounded.

Gordon

08-23-2014, 08:05 PM	#18
Colonel Biggs Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 158	Re: Can't seem to locate a growl Thanks for the many comments. I like Steve's thought about the pinion nuts. What I don't understand, though, is that if the lockwasher tabs were set correctly the first time around (about eight years ago), I'm not sure why the nuts would loosen. Today I moved the rear end back (again) so that I could get a look at the roller bearing at the front of the torque tube. Naturally, the bearing is in great shape, so it looks like I will have to perform another rear end rebuild. Out of curiosity, I measured the pinion bearing pre-load, although I still had gaskets mounted on the axle housings. As I recall, these measurements are supposed to be taken without gaskets in place. The torque came out to about 70 inch pounds, well above the 20 level recommended. But, as I noted, I had gaskets mounted since I haven't started the disassembly yet, so the measurement may be meaningless. Bob Rentz once made a holding fixture for the axles, which simplified life somewhat. Does anyone sell such a tool today? Again, thanks for the thoughts expounded. Gordon