Seal issues
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,705
Likes: 766
From: Parts Unknown
The nut is on very tight. Before you loosen, mark the nut, pinion shaft and the flange. You need to get that nut indexed( and same # turns) and back in the same exact spot when reinstalling. Mark your drive shaft too. To maintain balance, it needs to be reinstalled back in its original position or you will have a new vibration you never had..
You will know if you screwed up the pinion if you hear the differential whining. If you don't have the tools or feel comfortable with it, have a pro do it. Many places don't service rear ends because it can be a pain and is very easy to screw up the bearing preload. You get one chance to get it right or the diff. needs to be disassembled and a new collapsable spacer installed before trying it again.While you are at it, pop out that orange seal at the front of your drive shaft and replace it. Appears to be leaking too.
You will know if you screwed up the pinion if you hear the differential whining. If you don't have the tools or feel comfortable with it, have a pro do it. Many places don't service rear ends because it can be a pain and is very easy to screw up the bearing preload. You get one chance to get it right or the diff. needs to be disassembled and a new collapsable spacer installed before trying it again.While you are at it, pop out that orange seal at the front of your drive shaft and replace it. Appears to be leaking too.
Last edited by raski; Sep 23, 2019 at 01:42 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Everything is marked and measured. Got the nut off. I used muscle and patience. Flange is off. Seal is out. But the seal I have is wrong. It is a duralast part # 5778 from autozone. Hey guys thanks for your help I really do appreciate it.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,705
Likes: 766
From: Parts Unknown
Don't forget the seal at the other end of the drive shaft...Looks like it is leaking too. Put a little gear oil on the seal lips before installing.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 422
Likes: 91
From: Plano, TX
The idea of replacing the U-joints while the driveshaft is out is a good one. They look to be in need of service and will never be more accessible than right now.
You might consider getting your parts from somewhere besides the Zone. You've done a lot of work, don't do it twice because you got crap parts. At a minimum go to Napa. Use OEM or Motorcraft when possible.
There is lots of information on the net that a Google search will bring up about rebuilding an 8.8 rearend. This can provide any other information you need to get that pinion nut torqued correctly. This is something that you want to make sure is done correctly.
You might consider getting your parts from somewhere besides the Zone. You've done a lot of work, don't do it twice because you got crap parts. At a minimum go to Napa. Use OEM or Motorcraft when possible.
There is lots of information on the net that a Google search will bring up about rebuilding an 8.8 rearend. This can provide any other information you need to get that pinion nut torqued correctly. This is something that you want to make sure is done correctly.
