Squeak from the pinion seal area after replacement

[2500avalanche]

I am a little frustrated with my truck. I only have driven her around 70 miles this summer. Trying to figure out a source of frustration coming from the rear. I have the truck safely jacked up so all wheels are off the ground so I can source the sound. So, I thought it was a bad U Joint, and I will get that replaced (do not think it is but, will replace anyways). So, when I spin the wheels I hear a squeak (happens as it rotates) coming from the pinion seal. I did replace it. I did put the nut back on (did not use an air rachet), put on by hand up to about 140 lbs. prior to this. I am wondering if the crush sleeve is bad, or do I need to tighten it more?
I am getting no leaks on the ground, but I am getting it on my floor above the rear. Cant find where it is leaking from.... very confused

 

[Don W.]

Re: Squeak from the pinion seal area after replacement

There is a dust shield on the yoke, make sure it's not dragging on the housing.

Per the manual you should have marked the nut and shaft so you could have replaced the seal then put the nut back where it came from PLUS 1/16 inch beyond your original alignment marks. Nut torque is not mentioned either in the seal replacement portion of the manual or the overhaul section of that manual. It's always preload or put the nut back where it came from plus the 1/16 in.

There is one other method mentioned under pinion flange (yoke) replacement where you measure the preload, change the yoke and tighten the nut so that you have the same preload that you had to start with.

Why it's different, seal vis yoke, I don't know unless they are allowing for manufacturing differences. I don't see why measuring the preload, replacing the seal then going back to that same preload wouldn't work.

Is the drive shaft easy to turn? It should be easy but with some drag. If it takes effort, say two hands, you may have over-tightened the pinion nut.

 

[2500avalanche]

Re: Squeak from the pinion seal area after replacement

Thanks for the info. the yoke ont eh differential turns freely with a little drag. I do not hear any grinding or anything. Just sounds like locusts under my truck (not kidding!)

There is a dust shield on the yoke, make sure it's not dragging on the housing.

Per the manual you should have marked the nut and shaft so you could have replaced the seal then put the nut back where it came from PLUS 1/16 inch beyond your original alignment marks. Nut torque is not mentioned either in the seal replacement portion of the manual or the overhaul section of that manual. It's always preload or put the nut back where it came from plus the 1/16 in.

There is one other method mentioned under pinion flange (yoke) replacement where you measure the preload, change the yoke and tighten the nut so that you have the same preload that you had to start with.

Why it's different, seal vis yoke, I don't know unless they are allowing for manufacturing differences. I don't see why measuring the preload, replacing the seal then going back to that same preload wouldn't work.

Is the drive shaft easy to turn? It should be easy but with some drag. If it takes effort, say two hands, you may have over-tightened the pinion nut.