BlueL82

I have the tool, but how exactly do I measure the preload? Do I measure it with the carrier in, or out and just he pinion gear?

Sunstroked

I do not have my C4 manuals anymore, my 92 had a Dana 44, but pinion preload is measured with just the pinion gear installed. What you want to do is sneak up on it. If you over torque it, you just have take it apart and replace the crush bearing.

7T1vette

Bearing preload is measured with a 'torque watch', which is a small version of a torque wrench. In the case of a crush ring, depending on the torque or preload requirements, a more substantial torque 'meter' might be required.

The pinion bearing preload should be 14-19 INCH-pounds for the Dana 44. The equivalent of 12 inch-pounds is 1 foot-pound; so you can see that the torque watch is to measure a load of 1.0 to 1.5 pounds at a radius of one foot from the center of the pinion. This small measuring instrument would have a length of about 6 inches and maximum loading might be in the area of 10 pounds [force]. You won't be able to make this measurement with you standard torque wrench!!

3X2

I measure it with the pinion only. I have a vintage 70's 3/8" drive bending beam torque wrench. I also use a 4 foot long 3/4" drive ratchet to tighten the nut. The torque spec is for rotating torque. i.e.- you are measuring the torque required to keep the pinion rotating, not the initial torque to start it rotating. The spec 7T1 sounds about right. Once you take the endplay out of the pinion and bearings, it takes very little tightening of the pinion nut to achieve the required spec. If you exceed the spec, you will need to replace the crush collar.