Pinion Seal Replacement

[RKHiPerformance]

The pinion seal in my Dad's '02 Camaro SS is leaking and needs to be replaced.
I am concerned that removing and reinstalling the pinion nut will result in lost preload on the crush collar. Am I correct? How can I go about this repair without ending up with a noisy rear axle assembly?

Thanks very much for any help,
Rick

[HILROD]

I have replaced the pinion seal on a dozen or so 7.5 rears. You should be able to just remove the seal and replace it. But just about every Later Camaro I've done already had a loose or noisy pinion bearing causing the leak. These cars have way too much power for those rear ends. Also make sure to seal the splines in the yoke with some good sealer. It can leak there more than the seal leaked.

[big gear head]

I agree that a bad pinion bearing may be causing the leak. If this is the case then you will need to replace the bearings and races, which will require replacing the crush spacer and resetting the bearing preload.

[SicMonte]

i have to do the same thing to my 88 monte ss. it is leaking pretty bad from the seal. So...to clarify...you do not have to remove the nut?

[big gear head]

Yes, you will have to remove the pinion nut to get the yoke off. You will have to tap the yoke off with a hammer. If you are just replacing the seal then you can remove the seal and clean out the housing where the new seal will go. Use a little sealant around the outside of the new seal and drive it in. Use a little grease on the lip of the seal. Smear some sealant into the splines of the yoke and put it on. Then use some red Loctite on the threads and torque the nut to 150 foot pounds.

If you are going to replace the bearings then you are in for quite a bit more work. This will require a longer explaination.

[SicMonte]

thank you...i need to fix that so i can drive the car...then i will be getting a 12 bolt.

removing the pinion nut...just use an inpact and remove it?

[big gear head]

Yes, it is all right to remove it with an impact.