Learning from the experienced

[d2424]

Hi all, new here just wanting to get info from first hand mechanics that learnt the hard way like most good mechanics do.

 

[d2424]

Well the problem I'm having is on a trip I noticed gear oil slinging from my rear end, I just bought the truck a 2012 ram hemi 5.7 4dr sport rear wheel drive.
So I watched a couple videos and pulled my drive shaft off and the nut and flange then the oil seal, simple but when I re installed I just tightened and it was to much cause the next day it started making a noise so I pulled over and got it towed home then went back and seen the video that shows how you need to use a dial tourqe wrench, so when I pulled it down the bearing behind the oil seal had wear from the over tightening so I change it and a new seal then dialed it in, ran great but it was still leaking from the new seal.
Only thing I can come up with is maybe they gave me the wrong bearing which may be thicker which can bring the flange back some to we're the tapered edge of the flange is Riding on the lip of the oil seal.
I'm bout to pull my hair out but I hate when I can't figure something out.
Thanks for any info
D.

 

[Papa Red]

Welcome to the forum.

Red

 

[Harley Harrold]

 

[Hagar1]

A couple of things you need to look at and consider, one .... make sure that the vent is not obstructed in any way. Two, after you take the drive shaft off, the very next step is to take a center punch and put a reference mark on the pinion, yoke and the nut. When you take it apart, you can easily reassemble and not over torque because you tighten only until all the marks are once again aligned.
And, just as important, keep the impact wrench away when reassembling. You could damage the bearings (brinelling) by the impact wrench pounding the bearings.

 

[Mojo88]

A couple of things you need to look at and consider, one .... make sure that the vent is not obstructed in any way. Two, after you take the drive shaft off, the very next step is to take a center punch and put a reference mark on the pinion, yoke and the nut. When you take it apart, you can easily reassemble and not over torque because you tighten only until all the marks are once again aligned.
And, just as important, keep the impact wrench away when reassembling. You could damage the bearings (brinelling) by the impact wrench pounding the bearings.

Yeah, something like your method would normally work, but at this point, I suspect OP mighta damaged both pinion bearings by overtightening. Which means two new pinion bearings (at least), along with dis-assemble the rear end and set it up from scratch.

 

[Hagar1]

Yeah, something like your method would normally work, but at this point, I suspect OP mighta damaged both pinion bearings by overtightening. Which means two new pinion bearings (at least), along with dis-assemble the rear end and set it up from scratch.

My method has worked countless times for myself as well as other good Techs. I'm a firm believer in, if you don't know what you are doing, leave it to those of us that do know or at least ask BEFORE you start.
Yes, I too, think that there is some damage there. But, I also think that getting back to where it originally was will be close to impossible ...... but once in a while even a blind squirrel finds a nut.

 

[Mojo88]

@Hagar1 - yes, yes, I agree with all that. I was gonna write something very similar, haha.

But I think he's badly damaged that rearward pinion bearing. No way of knowing without taking it apart. But perhaps just put the one new bearing/seal in and tighten main nut JUST until pinion play is removed (guesswork, by feel, basically), then try that.

He can't do it your way (the right way), he missed the boat. So what's a viable alternative???

I know what I'd do, and I'm pretty sure you'd do same; i.e., take it all apart. But it doesn't sound like he has the knowledge or the tools.

 

[Hagar1]

@Hagar1 - yes, yes, I agree with all that. I was gonna write something very similar, haha.

But I think he's badly damaged that rearward pinion bearing. No way of knowing without taking it apart. But perhaps just put the one new bearing/seal in and tighten main nut JUST until pinion play is removed (guesswork, by feel, basically), then try that.

He can't do it your way (the right way), he missed the boat. So what's a viable alternative???

I know what I'd do, and I'm pretty sure you'd do same; i.e., take it all apart. But it doesn't sound like he has the knowledge or the tools.

At this stage he would be probably further ahead to go to the local auto recycler and buy a complete unit. Pull the back cover, drain the oil and refill it to the proper level after it is installed. Unfortunately, and I mean no malice nor disrespect but, the OP is in way over his head.
I'm sure you would agree that after the damaged pinion bearings and IF he were to do a tear down, it is close to impossible to get the pattern exactly back to where it was. The only possibility would be if the side bearings had shims rather than adjustment nuts. Even the "new" bearing for the pinion might be a half thousandth different which will change the pattern.
Changing the pattern even slightly will make the difference between a diff that is quiet and one that is continually singing.

 

[Joe w.]

Welcome