C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

pinion nut overtightened???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 21, 2014 | 11:41 AM
  #1  
russianhomie119's Avatar
russianhomie119
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax Virginia
Default pinion nut overtightened???

I recently replaced the yoke seals and pinion seal and cleaned everything up. This morning I reinstalled the pinion. I had the index marks on there but with everything tightened I was about a 1/4 inch shy of getting to the mark. Now the side yokes are difficult to turn. Did I F-up the crush sleeve?
Reply
Old May 21, 2014 | 08:28 PM
  #2  
SB64's Avatar
SB64
Safety Car
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
Default pinion

I am confused you replace the side seals and the front pinion seal. Did you remove the actual pinion gear. No you just removed the front nut and the yoke and then pressed in a new seal?? Then when you put the nut on and tightened it you came up a 1/4 inch short? Just trying to clarify what you are asking. I don't think if you are short of the mark you didn't over tighten and I think they are a little hard to turn .
R

Last edited by SB64; May 21, 2014 at 08:30 PM.
Reply
Old May 21, 2014 | 09:31 PM
  #3  
russianhomie119's Avatar
russianhomie119
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax Virginia
Default

Sorry for the confusion. I did not remove the pinion gear. I removed only the nut, washer and yoke. I replaced the seal. Then I put sealer on the splines, inserted the yoke, put sealer on the bottom of the washer and tightened down the nut.

What I am afraid of is that I might have gone 1 full turn to much if that is possible? And it is considerably harder to turn the side yokes and it feels like it drags a little at some point in the full turn.

By harder to turn I mean I am using almost all my forearm strength to turn the yokes.

Thank you for clarifying!
Reply
Old May 21, 2014 | 09:33 PM
  #4  
dugsgms74's Avatar
dugsgms74
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 904
Likes: 46
From: Crestline CA
Default

I wonder if you went past rather than came up short. Usually when I replace pinion seals w/o changing the crush sleeve I mark the nut in relation to the pinion and tighten a bit past where it was to make up for bearing wear. BTW, I've done alot of diff rebuilds and have never seen a failure due to excessive pinion bearing preload, too little, thats a different story...
Reply
Old May 21, 2014 | 10:09 PM
  #5  
russianhomie119's Avatar
russianhomie119
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax Virginia
Default

So 3/4 turn past the original mark would be too over tightened? And to remedy that, I would need to replace the crush sleeve? Or is that still ok.

Thank you
Reply
Old May 21, 2014 | 10:31 PM
  #6  
doorgunner's Avatar
doorgunner
2026 Loser of the Year
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,582
Likes: 7,021
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Default

Originally Posted by russianhomie119
So 3/4 turn past the original mark would be too over tightened? And to remedy that, I would need to replace the crush sleeve? Or is that still ok.

Thank you
Did you use a torque wrench to tighten the crush sleeve/nut?

You would have had to put both feet against the frame to brace yourself enough to overtighten the crush sleeve nearly a full turn---did you do that?

Just trying to understand how much effort you used to tighten the pinion nut.
Reply
Old May 21, 2014 | 11:06 PM
  #7  
dugsgms74's Avatar
dugsgms74
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 904
Likes: 46
From: Crestline CA
Default

3/4 turn is alot unless the bearings were very worn, I usually go 1/8 to 1/4 past depending on what feels right. You cant go backwards and if you did go too far a new crush sleeve is the only alternative but truthfully, if you can turn the pinion by hand w/o too much effort you should be OK.
Reply
Old May 21, 2014 | 11:08 PM
  #8  
russianhomie119's Avatar
russianhomie119
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by doorgunner
Did you use a torque wrench to tighten the crush sleeve/nut?

You would have had to put both feet against the frame to brace yourself enough to overtighten the crush sleeve nearly a full turn---did you do that?

Just trying to understand how much effort you used to tighten the pinion nut.


The diff is currently off the frame. I had a pipe wrench on the yoke and started off with a torque wrench and when it came short of completing that last turn I put a 3' pipe extension on it to turn it about 1/2 turn. when I couldn't turn it any more with that I attempted to use an impact gun to no avail.

Originally I thought I had to go another turn because it felt loose/ or not tight enough...

Last edited by russianhomie119; May 21, 2014 at 11:10 PM.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
Old May 22, 2014 | 09:41 AM
  #9  
doorgunner's Avatar
doorgunner
2026 Loser of the Year
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,582
Likes: 7,021
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Default

O.K. Set the torque wrench to 18 inch-pounds/place it on the pinion nut/rotate the pinion nut-shaft clockwise.....

If the torque wrench "clicks".....adjust the torque wrench to 25 inch-pounds......use it to rotate the pinion nut-shaft clockwise....

Did it click?

(This info you provide will determine if it is over-tightened)

Last edited by doorgunner; May 22, 2014 at 01:50 PM.
Reply
Old May 22, 2014 | 10:08 AM
  #10  
BOSTONCAMARO's Avatar
BOSTONCAMARO
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,303
Likes: 14
From: Lynn MA
Default

I have seen this covered many times in regards to 12 bolts and other rears and Corvette should not be any different.

Many people say you can remove, do a seal then re-install no problem without doing new crush sleeve or setting up rear from scratch, I bet you may have gone beyond your reference marks....

A decent thread here, discusses the concept, again opinions vary - I am not sure what the Corvette crush collar will crush, start to compress

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showth...ht=pinion+seal
Reply
Old May 22, 2014 | 10:47 AM
  #11  
russianhomie119's Avatar
russianhomie119
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by doorgunner
O.K. Set the torque wrench to 18 pounds/place it on the pinion nut/rotate the pinion nut-shaft clockwise.....

If the torque wrench "clicks".....adjust the torque wrench to 25 pounds......use it to rotate the pinion nut-shaft clockwise....

Did it click?

(This info you provide will determine if it is over-tightened)
Turning the pinion nut with a torque wrench set to 18 LBS did not make it click
Reply
Old May 22, 2014 | 10:53 AM
  #12  
russianhomie119's Avatar
russianhomie119
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by BOSTONCAMARO
I have seen this covered many times in regards to 12 bolts and other rears and Corvette should not be any different.

Many people say you can remove, do a seal then re-install no problem without doing new crush sleeve or setting up rear from scratch, I bet you may have gone beyond your reference marks....

A decent thread here, discusses the concept, again opinions vary - I am not sure what the Corvette crush collar will crush, start to compress

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showth...ht=pinion+seal

Thank you for the link, I bet I did not put an additional 100 LBS when tightening. I have read a lot of the forums in regards to this crush sleeve and procedure, and it is difficult for me to gauge tightness of the yokes turning as normal or abnormal (easier to turn before I started all this). Maybe how tight the yokes are to turn means nothing. The pinion moves smoothly and without a lot of force.
Reply
Old May 22, 2014 | 12:37 PM
  #13  
bashcraft's Avatar
bashcraft
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
Default

Originally Posted by doorgunner
The amount of force to turn the side-yokes will be different than turning the pinion.


Set the torque wrench to 25 pounds/turn the pinion nut/shaft......does it click?

(If it does NOT click-------the nut is too tight......you need a new crush sleeve/follow the directions in the link to install the new sleeve.)

Tell us what happened at 25 pounds on the torque wrench.
This sounds backwards to me.

He already said that it didn't click at 18 lbs. Why would it click at 25?
Reply
Old May 22, 2014 | 01:34 PM
  #14  
russianhomie119's Avatar
russianhomie119
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by doorgunner
The amount of force to turn the side-yokes will be different than turning the pinion.


Set the torque wrench to 25 pounds/turn the pinion nut/shaft......does it click?

(If it does NOT click-------the nut is too tight......you need a new crush sleeve/follow the directions in the link to install the new sleeve.)

Tell us what happened at 25 pounds on the torque wrench.

It did not click at the 25 LBS either.

It is a bit confusing but it makes sense. Now that i know it is overtightened I will order a new crush sleeve today. I also need another new pinion seal correct? anything else?
Reply
Old May 22, 2014 | 01:37 PM
  #15  
doorgunner's Avatar
doorgunner
2026 Loser of the Year
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,582
Likes: 7,021
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Default

Originally Posted by russianhomie119
It did not click at the 25 LBS either.

It is a bit confusing but it makes sense. Now that i know it is overtightened I will order a new crush sleeve today. I also need another new pinion seal correct? anything else?
Sealant.....unless you still have enough leftover.

Keep us updated after you re-do the pinion....in this same thread....then members will have an idea of when to be careful with crush sleeves.
Reply
Old May 22, 2014 | 01:45 PM
  #16  
doorgunner's Avatar
doorgunner
2026 Loser of the Year
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,582
Likes: 7,021
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Default

Originally Posted by bashcraft
This sounds backwards to me.

He already said that it didn't click at 18 lbs. Why would it click at 25?
bashcraft......I'm glad you caught that....I try to help but get my facts backwards!

Correct me again if I need it.......NO click at 18 inch-pounds means the nut isn't tight enough..........

He needs to tighten the pinion nut more and test it with the torque wrench until it clicks at the correct torque setting...correct?

[U]I ALSO MIS-STATED THE TORQUE VALUE....IT SHOULD BE INCH-POUNDS...............

Mike Ward was right about me!

Last edited by doorgunner; May 22, 2014 at 01:53 PM.
Reply
Old May 22, 2014 | 01:51 PM
  #17  
russianhomie119's Avatar
russianhomie119
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by doorgunner
bashcraft......I'm glad you caught that....I try to help but get my facts backwards!

Correct me again if I need it.......NO click at 18 pounds means the nut isn't tight enough..........

He needs to tighten the pinion nut more and test it with the torque wrench until it clicks at the correct torque setting...correct?

Mike Ward was right about me!

ok, so in this case I should try to reach the original index mark I made (a little less than 1/4 turn) ...that will be difficult guess I have to find another cheater bar and try to reach 18 LBS or my index mark whichever comes first. Correct?
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To pinion nut overtightened???

Old May 22, 2014 | 01:56 PM
  #18  
doorgunner's Avatar
doorgunner
2026 Loser of the Year
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,582
Likes: 7,021
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Default

Originally Posted by russianhomie119
ok, so in this case I should try to reach the original index mark I made (a little less than 1/4 turn) ...that will be difficult guess I have to find another cheater bar and try to reach 18 LBS or my index mark whichever comes first. Correct?
I sorry......I gave you the wrong torque value........it should be INCH-POUNDS......you will use a small torque wrench to check the tightness of the bearings. The 18 inch-pounds is what you should aim for.

bashcraft........correct me if I am wrong------------again!
Reply
Old May 22, 2014 | 02:03 PM
  #19  
qwank's Avatar
qwank
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
Default

18-25 inch pounds of turning torque of the assembly, not the nut. you need a beam type torque wrench and you turn the diff with the wrench while watching the gauge on the wrench. should be between 18-25 inch pounds of force to spin everything. i dont remember if thats pinion only or pinion and ring gear.
Reply
Old May 22, 2014 | 02:05 PM
  #20  
russianhomie119's Avatar
russianhomie119
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax Virginia
Default

Originally Posted by doorgunner
I sorry......I gave you the wrong torque value........it should be INCH-POUNDS......you will use a small torque wrench to check the tightness of the bearings. The 18 inch-pounds is what you should aim for.

bashcraft........correct me if I am wrong------------again!
To double check, this is using a torque wrench to turn the nut without holding the pinion stationary?
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:34 PM.

story-0
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-5
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE