I am currently rebuilding the rear end on my pickup, and I've gotten to the point of installing my pinion gear. I am using the old pinion/ring gears, but I replaced all of the bearings and races. From what I've found on GMT400 and multiple other websites, you should tighten the pinion nut until it takes about 18in-lbs to spin the pinion gear without any other load, and without the carrier assembly. Using a Milwaukee impact, I couldn't get the crush ring to crush, so I used a my CP air impact and got it to turn about 1/8 of a turn. Re-checked it, and it takes about 20-25in-lbs to spin the pinion gear. The bearings are dry. Is 20-25in-lbs okay? Or, is 18in-lbs a MUST, and I need to pull it apart to replace the crush ring?
Thanks in advanced.
Thanks in advanced.