Driveshaft Dilemma - Epilogue

[jamesmdavis]

In the two previous "Driveshaft Dilemma" posts, I described a noisy drivetrain problem. I wish to report that the problem is solved and TC7225 is running better than ever. I thought the pinion nut may be the problem, being too loose. Not having a lift, I was looking for a way to tighten the pinion nut on the diff to the proper value without removing the pinion carrier.

The solution was found in Tech Tip CH110 on Doug Pelton's site, fromtheframeup.com. It recommended a torque value of 100 to 120 ft-lb. It also recommended attaching a bar to the pinion flange which would rest on the frame rails so that the nut could be torqued against the pinion flange, bar, and frame rails instead of against the diff gears. The one I made is shown in the attached photo. I also found that a Craftman 15/16" deep socket fits perfectly on the pinion nut.

Hallelujah!

[Steve Simmons]

Glad to hear it's working now. Years ago I made a similar tool using a piece of angle bracket from the hardware store. It was easy to cut out the circular area with some heavy duty snips, and the holes already in it just happened to line up perfectly with the flange nut holes of the diff I was working on. Total cost about four bucks! I used the end rather than the middle though, so I could use it for leverage against the wrench.

[Gene Gillam]

Congratulations...good idea.