pinion seal install

Is there a right and wrong way to install a pinion seal.8 3/4 489 case.Geting it out looks like no big deal.

Not really but the big problem is unless your 489 case has had a solid pinion spacer installed you can easily mess up the setup by just removing and reinstalling the yoke. Technically your supposed to totally replace the crush sleeve any time you work on it. That requires removing the 3rd member and disassembling it. Can we say PITA. That's the only drawback with a 489 case.

BTW: most pinion leaks I see are caused from a groove worn in the yoke so a new seal don't fix it.

Ok thing is I am not sure if it is leaking anyway.I bought the houseing and the diff was out of it,not rebuilding it all looks good just thought that maybe wile it is out good time to replace it.what if I pour some gear oil in her and tip it up nose down Will that give me some idea.

Yeah that should at least give you an idea. I wouldn't stand it on it's nose. Just tip it to where the pinion is angled down and pour in some gear lube.

Thanksss fishy68 give it a try I will.

Your welcome Snake. Good luck

Sometimes you can cheat. I know on ford 8.8 and dana 35 & 44 you can measure the turning torque with a beam type torque wrench before you pull the yoke. Then you replace the seal and use and impact, a little at a time, to tighten the yoke nut until the turning torque is the same. Not the "right" way to do it, but I know a lot of dealer guys that do it and yours truly has done it also. Can you say flat rate?

So it looks like I should replace the sleave,are there special tools involved in this can it be done at home.I have never done that job,or should I trust a shop to do the work.

If I were you I'd replace the crush sleeve with a crush sleeve eliminator kit. it's a solid sleeve that comes with shims to adjust the pinion bearing pre-load. Much easier than using a OEM crush collar. I hate them things. I always have a hard time getting the pre-load set right.

You can do the job if you have a few tools specifically for the job. You'll need a dial indicator with a magnetic base. A inch lbs. torque wrench (beam or dial type, not a click type). A yoke holder tool. You can use 1/2" drive tools to R&R the pinion nut but I prefer a 3/4 drive as it's torqued to 240 lbs. And you'll need a good big stout vise to clamp it in. Look at the top of the trans main page where all the sticky's are and I believe there is still a link somebody has up about a Richmond gear setup video. You might want to contact the person about it and get the video and watch it before you start just so you see how things are done. I realize your not really setting up a gear set but since you have to tear it all apart it's basically the same procedure.

If you have a trusted person near you to do it you might ask how much to get it done. I can get it done for $50-60 from a trusted fellow and even though I can do it my back gives me a lot of trouble so I let him do them for me. BTW: Don't let anybody tell you that you can just pop off the yoke and install a new seal and torque the yoke back down. If they tell you that's how they do it go elsewhere.

Good advice nope not going to try it myself.Luckely i have been in touch with a mopar bro who says he will do it for me.thanks again fishy68.I got to get going on this ,I want it all in by laite end of march and then work on geting my 360 all in by laite april.