Leaking pinion seal

[69importkilla]

Ok today will be the third time having to replace my pinion seal in a short period of time. Is there something else wrong that I am missing?

I have a GM 10 bolt in my 69 Camaro. I heard the "yoke" is supposed to come off with some effort. Is this true? Mine slides off by hand. Possibly an indicator of something also?

[HILROD]

You need to use a seaqlant on the yoke splines, that could be your leak. I usually use a non hardening ARP thread sealer on the splines. Also be careful when re-torquing the pinion nut, even more so if it's been off a few times, you will effect the pinion pre-load.

[69importkilla]

Thanks, I use sealant on the splines the first two times. Any ideas to why I keep blowing seals??

[big gear head]

Could be a bad pinion bearing. If a bearing is bad it will allow the pinion to move around, which will cause the seal to leak. Also could be a groove in the yoke. Are you using sealant around the outside of the seal before you drive it in? Are you putting grease or oil on the rubber lip before you install the yoke? As for the yoke sliding off by hand, that is not uncommon.

[GUS68]

Is the vent plugged????

[big gear head]

Good point. I forgot about that. I have seen several vents that were too close to the exhaust and the caps were melted.

[69importkilla]

Thanks, I'll be pulling it apart again this weekend. I never checked the vent. I guess I presumed it was OK because I could go a few months without any problems.