Diff preload

R

Readingflynn

0
hi peeps, thought i would ask the advise if anyone knows, Sorry this is about my cortina and not a commer.
My rear diff has been leaking from the oil seal, so i have bought a new one and before thinking about anything i removed the prop and prop to diff flange removing the pinion flange nut.
I found out afterwards that the diffs are pre loaded, i found out the the pre load setting is between 12lb and 18lb.
Now i think i have this right, I have removed diff, replaced the crush sleeve, put diff back onto the axle, inserted new oil seal and attached prop/diff hub and lightly screwed the pinion nut.
I take it what i have to do is slowly tighten the pinion nut stopping each time and measuring the force it takes to turn the hub round using a spring weight through one of the prop bolt holes until this reaches between 12 and 18lb ( Ideally 15lb as a middle figure ).
Has anyone done this before on a commer or anything else to tell me if i am doing it right and i think i should also have the wheels removed so as not to create a false resistanse.
Cheers for any help :D
 
The pre load should have been set correctly when the diff was set up by fitting shims .so if you have only changed the seal ,you do not have to worry about that factor ,just tighten the nut up
 
Hi Thomo, thanks for comment but although preload is set when diff was originally set up, it is the prop flange that sets the preload, once removed pre load has to be reset, well on this diff anyway. :(
 
Most diff's I have worked on the pinion has to be pulled out to fit the spacers behind it ,yes you have to torque the nut ,but you cannot add or remove the shims with out removing the pinion,so if you have not done that the shims will be as before,which should be fine.
 
I have changed a few seals and just retightened the nut, with no problems ;)

http://www.commervanspares.co.uk/

http://www.yorkshireclassiccampers.co.uk/
 
I changed the pinion nose seal on the minor a and never had to re-set the preload - I always assumed you needed to set it when you have had the actual diff apart.

Rupert

"Atheism is a non-prophet organisation"

www.littleyellowcar.co.uk
 
TO try and explain the set up the pinion has 2 tapered bearings.at the time of set up the people would have added shims to between these bearings then tightened the flange nut ,to get the preload right they would have probably done this about 3 times. so when you in the car undo the flange nut and replace the seal ,you have not altered the distance between the tapered bearings therefore the preload .So you just have to tighten the nut to the correct figure.
 
We did ours on the van at the weekend and made sure we counted the turns. It went back exactly the same turns and wouldn't go any further even if I had had more weetabix so maybe you don't have to. I would for peace of mind though (not that you can as it is already off).
 
Well thanks for all the replys, I have gone ahead and put the pinion nut back on tight. Just waiting for my new stainless exhaust to come and then will be giving a test drive, and i will let you know how it goes.
Again thanks peeps ;)
 
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