Slop/play in front pinon!?!

[CaptainMorgan]

So I noticed while replaceing my u-joints that my pinon has some minor play in it where the driveshaft meets the pumpkin. I haven't gotten into it yet to really check it out, but just so I am sure; This isn't normal right? My Cj does not have the same slop.

I was thinking of taking the front shaft off and tightening the yoke, I think it may have just come loose, otherwise I fear I may have a gear problem.

Has this happened to anyone else?

[SHNIPE]

what do you mean play? the shaft rotates or wobbles?

[CaptainMorgan]

NO not rotates, that is normal. If I hold the shaft while lying under it and wiggle it up and down vertically the yoke wobbles...something about that snetance didn't seem right:D

[AZXJ]

Make sure the pinion nut is tight..

[CaptainMorgan]

Make sure the pinion nut is tight..

Exactly what I am about to do...figure start simple and easy...after thinking about it I realize it almost has to be that the nut loosened up a bit...

...do you have the nut size and torque spec so I only have to crawl under it once...its cold up here this morning.

Does anyone?

[Fire Ball]

I made a bracket with 1/4 " steel. It is like 8" long and wide enough to cut a slot in the middle wide enough for the socket. I then drilled 4 holes to match the hole pattern on the yoke. This makes it easy to hold while torquing it. I just let the bracket lay against the lower control arm and it frees up both hands to pull on the breaker bar.

I personally have never heard of a pinion nut coming loose. If it has you should just be able to torque it to I think 180 lb/ft.

You also might want to check the bearing pre-load to make sure you haven't over tightened it. I usually just keep turning it about 1/2 flat at a time till it gets tight. If you over tighten it you will need to put in a new crush sleeve.

Am I making sense?

[danno]

Whoops,

Hey Cap'n... Check your other post where you asked for pinion torque specs... stuff you will need to read.

[CaptainMorgan]

Hmm, well it is the pinon nut that is loose, I was just going to go out and tighten it but it sounds like if I do it wrong I am opening up a whole new can of worms...

Just tighten it until it is tight you say? Sounds reasonable, probly not much turning at all.

...should I take it to the shop that did the gears and make them tighten it correctly? After all they are the ones who did it questionably a year ago. I think I am still under their "warranty". Then again they are a pain to deal with sometimes.

[Oc1paddler]

If someone else set up the gears I would take it to them for sure! Getting the right preload is part of setting up the gears. I have to agree with what other people are saying in that I have never seen a pinion nut come loose.

[CaptainMorgan]

Well the pinon nut did come loose, I think everything in the axle is in good shape still since the gear oil is clear and I've been to phx and back with this little problem. I've wheeled a bunch, I thought it was a little slop in the u joint until now. When I changed them I realized it wasnt the problem.

I am taking it to the shop that installed the gears, I dont have an in/lb wrench. It sounds like everything will work out fine with them, I called and they will handle it under warranty it sounds like.

What, if any damage will this or could this have aldready caused. Did it coming loose mess up the bearing pre-load?