Pinion Bearing Oil Seal - Pontiac FIREBIRD 1972 Service Manual

4A- 12
1972 PONTIAC SERVICE MANUAL
2. Connect universal joints. Install and tighten U-joint
to companion flange bolts to 12 lb. ft. torque on the
single cardon joint or 70 lb. ft. torque on the double
cardon joint.
PINION BEARING OIL SEAL
,
REMOVE
CAUTION: Use care not to crush exhaust sys-
tem 'iGick-under9'p1pe on B Series station wag-
ons when using an axle engaging hoist.
Check pinion bearing preload before removing companion
Fig. 4 A - 8 Removing Drive Pinion Nut
flange. Proper preload can then be maintained if inspec-
tion of the flange after removal shows damage requiring
5. Hold companion flange with tool J 8614-1 (Fig. replacement.
4A-8) and remove drive pinion nut and washer using
heavy duty socket.
1. With rear wheels off floor, turn rear wheels and tap
brake backing plates with a soft hammer to ensure
6. Remove companion flange, using puller J 8614-2 and
that brakes are free.
3 (Fig. 4A-9).
2. Remove retaining bolts which hold rear universal
joint to companion flange. Use a heavy rubber band
or tape to hold bearings onto journal to prevent loss
REPLACE of bearing rollers when joint is disconnected if tie
wire has been removed ( ~ i ~ . 4A-6).
CAUTION: See caution on Page 1 of this section
regarding fasteners refered to in Step
2
below.
Replace companion flange and washer and nut. Hold
companion flange with tool J 8614-10 and tighten nut
only a little at a time, stopping frequently to check
preload (step 3 above). Tighten nut to reading noted
in step 3: however, if reading obtained in step 3 was
less than 12 lb. in., increase preload to 16 lb. in.
3. Scribe a line on end of pinion stem, extending down
along side of stem threads and onto companion flange
nut to assure that parts are reassembled in the same
relative position.
4. Punch a small mark on the line at pinion stem end
and at top of lock nut, close to pinion stem threads.
NOTE: Additional clearance to check preload
can be obtained bet ween differential and body
by raising body a few inches by means of a jack
or stand laced under frame at rear.
5. Using a lb. in. torque wrench with a 1/2" drive
adapter and socket placed over drive pinion nut, turn
two or three revolutions to ensure free movement.
Then, take a torque reading while rotating pinion to
measure bearing preload (Fig. 4A-7). Record read-
ing.
6. Count the number of exposed threads from top of
pinion stem to lock nut. Remove lock nut with a
heayy duty socket, while holding companion flange
with J 8614-10 (Fig. 4A-8).
Fig. 4 A - 9 Removing Companion Flange
7. Remove companion flange, using puller J 8614-2 and
3 (Fig. 4A-9).
CAUTION: When removing sea4 use care to
keep dirt and other foreign matter out of ex-
posed front pinion bearing.