Pinion Seal Replacement
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 23
From: Prescott AZ
Pinion Seal Replacement
Just noticed that the pinion seal on my 1993 ZR1 is starting to leak. Looks like a straight forward job to replace, but thought I better ask if there was something I should know before just pulling off the yoke and replacing it.
Thanks
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,389
Likes: 2,741
If it's an original gear set it's very straight forward, you need a new seal and a new pinion nut. If it's a D36 pinion nut to 200 ftlb and if it's D44 250 ftlb comes to mind. Check your FSM.
I'd inspect it maybe more closely and see if it's maybe not just the splines of the pinion flange weeping a bit. The residue will either be between the seal and flange or it will be at the nut where it meets the flange. If it's at the nut inside the flange I'd clean it well and just keep an eye on it.
If you do the seal use something to seal the splines to the pinion flange, some use RTV on just the leading edge of the flange going into the rear, some axle/wheel bearing grease, I've used the blue lube GM has for drive-line slip yokes and that is used in steering columns also. It's expensive. Very! Maybe any high quality synthetic lube or like I mentioned axle/bearing grease.
If it's a replacement gear set with "crush-collar" it becomes a bit more complicated. You'll need a "crush-collar", a pinion nut and the procedure changes accordingly.
I'd inspect it maybe more closely and see if it's maybe not just the splines of the pinion flange weeping a bit. The residue will either be between the seal and flange or it will be at the nut where it meets the flange. If it's at the nut inside the flange I'd clean it well and just keep an eye on it.
If you do the seal use something to seal the splines to the pinion flange, some use RTV on just the leading edge of the flange going into the rear, some axle/wheel bearing grease, I've used the blue lube GM has for drive-line slip yokes and that is used in steering columns also. It's expensive. Very! Maybe any high quality synthetic lube or like I mentioned axle/bearing grease.
If it's a replacement gear set with "crush-collar" it becomes a bit more complicated. You'll need a "crush-collar", a pinion nut and the procedure changes accordingly.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Florida
pinion seal
Replaced mine no big deal got new 44 seal took nut off big screw drivered old seal out tapped new one in, no more leaking of pinion seal.
Marked where old one was tightened too and retighten to same spot with torque wrench. Torque fell within specs.
86 vert 44
Marked where old one was tightened too and retighten to same spot with torque wrench. Torque fell within specs.
86 vert 44
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,389
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Here's a D60 pinion nut. A D44 HD uses a D60 pinion nut:
Last edited by WVZR-1; May 10, 2013 at 04:33 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
1986 rear end seals
Well its been 2 years since the last time I was on the forum, out of work. But landed a job about six weeks ago and of course my 86 vette is screaming 
I NEED PARTS AND TLC. So rear end is leaking pretty good, question is
1. How difficult is to replace the two axle, and pinion seals.
2. What is the normal cost if a shop does it.
Glad to be back
Thanks
ROD
I NEED PARTS AND TLC. So rear end is leaking pretty good, question is1. How difficult is to replace the two axle, and pinion seals.
2. What is the normal cost if a shop does it.
Glad to be back
Thanks
ROD
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,389
Likes: 2,741
Well its been 2 years since the last time I was on the forum, out of work. But landed a job about six weeks ago and of course my 86 vette is screaming I NEED PARTS AND TLC. So rear end is leaking pretty good, question is
1. How difficult is to replace the two axle, and pinion seals.
2. What is the normal cost if a shop does it.
Glad to be back
Thanks
ROD
I NEED PARTS AND TLC. So rear end is leaking pretty good, question is1. How difficult is to replace the two axle, and pinion seals.
2. What is the normal cost if a shop does it.
Glad to be back
Thanks
ROD
Is this an A4 car or a M4+3 car?
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
The pinion seal can be done in the car but the short-axle seals require removal of the differential to accomplish the replacement. The short-axle seals generally aren't issues so I'd wash the rear down well and dry it, drive it and then re-evaluate the seal leakage at the short-axles. If you're going to the effort to remove the differential for the short-axle seals then you might as well consider refreshing the entire rear.
Is this an A4 car or a M4+3 car?
Is this an A4 car or a M4+3 car?
Also if anyone knows of a vette mechanic around Manchester NH I would appreciate the name.
ROD