Pinion Preload

[cjjhalfcab]

Merry Christmas to all of you; I'm not on much these days, but do have a quick question about preload on a 9" I'm building. Set the preload a few months ago on it, and I swear it was around 25ish inch pounds (new bearings), but tore it back down today to put a Truetrac in it and decided to double check it. I'm now getting around 14-15 in/lbs with the seal installed - is that going to be safe? I'd much rather it be around 20 or more, but hate like hell to tear it back apart and pull some shim out of it (went solid spacer). If that is too loose I'll bite the bullet and pull it back apart. Thanks for any help.

 

[EPB72]

Generaly 13-16 in lbs on new bearings and on used 6-8 ,,,,, don;t see the need to change ,, if no issues

 

[JB Fab]

Did you put any miles on it since the initial set-up?

 

[cjjhalfcab]

Did you put any miles on it since the initial set-up?

No - just finished it up and put in a box for an upcoming swap. Decided to replace the factory traction lock for the Truetrac, so got back into it.

 

[JB Fab]

I would double check the yoke nut torque, then recheck your preload.

 

[cjjhalfcab]

Thanks. What are you using for the nut torque? Can't remember off the top of my head what I used before, but it seems like figures online are all over the place.

 

[JB Fab]

I use 200 ft-lbs

 

[cjjhalfcab]

I use 200 ft-lbs

OK - just went and put the torque wrench on it again at 220 ft/lbs, and getting right at 15 in/lbs, trending towards maybe 16 with the seal. I might just go with it unless you think that's a bit loose.

That's with an old Snapon "Torque-O-Meter" dial type; using a cheapie Chinese beam-type I'm getting about 17.5 in/lbs.

 

[JB Fab]

I consider my myself to be pretty careful about this type of stuff and I would run it, now that you confirmed you didn't have any torque creep.

 

[cjjhalfcab]

Sounds good - appreciate your help. Time to start buttoning this thing back up.