741 Pinion Preload w/ Used Bearings

[ardentind]

Hey all,
Rebuilt the sure grip with new clutches from Dr. Diff. All factory stuff, reusing the 3.23 gears. Bearings and races looked great so after talking to Dr. Diff, I elected to reuse the bearings and races.

That said, I won’t have an inch pound torque wrench until tomorrow but with the pinion nut rattled on really well, and reusing the factory sleeve and two shims, there is no slop/play in the pinion but it rotates really easily…like one finger whirling it around. Almost to the point I could free wheel it if I spun it hard enough.

I’ve read “0-15 inch pounds on used bearings”… so maybe I’m overthinking it but is this normal? Safe to say “nut is tightened with loc tite, no play on the pinion shaft, let’s roll with it”

Thanks!

 

[INTMD8]

This is how it makes sense -to me- but maybe others disagree.

With no crush sleeve you could arrive at the correct pinion bearing preload/drag but in doing so imparted very little torque on the pinion nut so high probability of it backing off.

I've never re-used a crush sleeve as to me it's purpose is to force a high torque input on the pinion nut until you reach correct bearing preload.

That being said, I think no sleeve is needed at all if you arrive at correct preload then tack weld the pinion nut to the pinion gear.

And I would go for 10in/lb drag on used bearings.

 

[Rebelrouser]

Hey all,
Rebuilt the sure grip with new clutches from Dr. Diff. All factory stuff, reusing the 3.23 gears. Bearings and races looked great so after talking to Dr. Diff, I elected to reuse the bearings and races.

That said, I won’t have an inch pound torque wrench until tomorrow but with the pinion nut rattled on really well, and reusing the factory sleeve and two shims, there is no slop/play in the pinion but it rotates really easily…like one finger whirling it around. Almost to the point I could free wheel it if I spun it hard enough.

I’ve read “0-15 inch pounds on used bearings”… so maybe I’m overthinking it but is this normal? Safe to say “nut is tightened with loc tite, no play on the pinion shaft, let’s roll with it”

Thanks!

A rear axle uses tapered roller bearings under preload because the forces trying to push the ring and pinion apart going down the road are substantial.
Yes, I agree with reusing good older bearings, probably better bearings than you would buy to replace them. I seldom use an inch lb wrench for preload as I have done so many over the years, you just want to feel a slight drag but easy movement. If it for sure has no play then you should be able to get by with it. I would have used maybe about .003 smaller shim.