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I'm getting ready to replace the differential pinion seal in my 80 corvette. Does anyone know the pinion nut size. The largest socket I have is 1" and its bigger than that. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
I am traveling so not positive, but believe it's 1-1/8". Measure across the flats to confirm. I went on Amazon, ordered a single (huge) combo wrench that size, ground the outsides of the open end so it would fot easier and it worked just fine. Hold the yolk with a prybar and tighten accordingly. Make sure you MARK the nut and end of the shaft before you remove the nit and count your turns as you remove it.
I just did my '69 this past weekend and the nut was 1 1/8". I used a deep socket and a 10" extension to get at the nut from the front side of the cross member. I highly recommend making a tool like my pipe flange tool to drive the seal back in. Here is the thread:
Sorry - you know what? Yes, I also used a deep socket. The wrench I ordered off Amazon was to hold the yoke while I tightened the nut. Much easier job with a wrench.
Sorry - you know what? Yes, I also used a deep socket. The wrench I ordered off Amazon was to hold the yoke while I tightened the nut. Much easier job with a wrench.
Yes, you definitely need something beefy to hold the yoke. I used this tool below which I've had for years. It works great with the optional flange which bolts directly to the yoke. It BARELY clears the C3 cross member. You can fab something similar from a piece of flat stock and save some money if you like.
Thanks for the replies everyone. You're all right, it was 1 1/8". I pulled the old seal out and it doesn't look like the new Timken. Check out the pics below. It seems like it'll fit, but it's definitely shaped differently. Does it look right to you guys? The side with the spring does face into the diff right, just like the old seal?
On a side note, right behind the old seal, between it and the bearing was a little ring I've attached a picture of. It was just kind of hanging on the shaft. I have no idea if it's supposed to be there. It doesn't seem like its in place. Does anyone recognize it? I'm thinking someone may have been into the differential before, as the bearing that's in it is a Timken bearing. I'm guessing those didn't come from the factory?
Pinion Nut Size?
