2000 Chevy Silverado loose pinion gear

2000CHEVYMAN

MEMBER
2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
157,000 MILES

I have just rebuilt the rear end in my silverado, and put new parts in it, but I am having trouble with something and I hope you could help. Alll the parts fit back in and everything is in its appropriate spot, the backlash is correct, the whole nine yards. I was just curious if you could help me by explaining why it is that the pinion gear is still able to move even though there is a new pinion seal, and its seated correctly, but for some odd reason the lock nut will not go back down as far as it was before, and I am able to push in the yoke a little bit even after I have it tightened down to the pinion gear. There was not a pinion seal on the truck when I took it apart and I was curious as to if this would have anything to do with it. Before the truck broke down I did not have any problems what so ever with the rear end.

6 Replies

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

Did you replace the crush sleeve? If not then get a new on you do not reuse these. Get back to me on this ok.

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Thursday, October 16th, 2008 AT 10:09 PM

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

After reading you problem again you also should have a pinion seal if not the fluid leaks out but still that is not why the pinion is loose. So get back to me on the first questions about the crush sleeve ok.

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Thursday, October 16th, 2008 AT 10:11 PM

2000CHEVYMAN

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31 POSTS

Yes I have repalced the crush sleeve however it is still a little bit loose. The lock nut does not seem to tighten down correctly because the torque spec calls for it to be torqued down to 27 ft lbs, however it is reaching a point where it will not let me tighten the nut anymore, but my torque wrench is not clicking like it is tightened down all the way. I know its not my torque wrench because I have checked it with 3 different wrenches

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Saturday, October 18th, 2008 AT 9:21 PM

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

You are cruching the sleeve that is why they call it a crush sleeve. So torque it to specs and it should be fine once the torque it met.

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Sunday, October 19th, 2008 AT 9:29 AM

DENNYP

MECHANIC
1,823 POSTS

Stop! The torque spec on a rear diff. Pinion is rotating torque. You cannot set the rotating torque with a click type torque wrench. You need to tighten the pinion nut enough to compress the crush sleeve, and also not exceed the rotating torque spec of 27in/lbs. You measure this with a dial type, or needle type torque wrench. If you exceed the torque, you could very well damage the bearings.