Technical 57 Olds 88 pinion seal replacement help

I need to replace the pinion seal on a 1957 olds 88. What is required to do this? I know sometimes there is a crush sleeve, sometimes you need to set pre-load and sometimes you just need to re-torque the flange. What needs to be done on a 57 olds? I hope to just remove the flange change the seal and put the flange back on, is it that easy for this one?

olds3a by sschreiner5 posted Jun 18, 2013 at 9:48 PM

 

Well my '61 service manual says to replace the seal and then tighten 1/16" tighter. (mark the position of the nut and flange prior to removal). I think the '57 diff is pretty close to the same as a '61.

Fab craft metal works sells parts for 57-64 olds diffs

 

The seal is a simple matter of R&R. Pinion flange re-install is an acquired feel. On high mileage axles, I tighten the flange until just a tiny bit of preload is felt. You don't want any drastic changes in the tooth contact ... while you're in that far, service the u-joints & lube the emergency cables.

 

Take a small chisel and make a mark from the nut to the pinion. Take apart and replace seal. Tighten nut so the marks line up again.

 

Add to Two Shabby's suggestion: count the turns on the nut when you remove it and install it with the same exact number of turns to the mark or 1/16th " past that mark.

 

Having had a 56 with a pinion nut that came lose, I'd also put a dab of blue loc***e on the threads

 

That's guys! this is what I was hoping for!