Outer pinion bearing and nut

[texcwa]

Disassembling both front and rear differentials (getting into my restoration) and replacing seals, front ring and pinion (they were very pitted) and full hub rebuilds and have a question. Noticed on both front and rear after removing rear seal (wow those things were stuck in there) and find that there is allot of play between the rear bearing and retaining nut. When I mock-up pinion gear with yoke flange it appears that the pressure on the inner and outer bearings if from torque at flange nut (no play at all)

Question? should the retaining nut be applying pressure to the bearing? don't see why since the yoke is what applies the proper amount of load on bearings, and if not, why is it even in their?

Any info would be helpfull since I am getting ready to blast, paint and re-assembly but do not want to put the new rear seal in until I'm sure about the rear bearing retaining nut. Also, anyone else have problems with turning thes retaining nuts, mine wont budge (and yes I did remove the locking screw)

Thanks

[Desoto61]

The lock ring does not put any pressure on the bearing. It is there to keep the double cup or race in location.

I think there is a specific install sequence that actually has you back off the nut a specific amount to account for expansion.

I did have to manufacture a tool to remove the nut. It may be in my thread but essentially was a piece of plate steel cut to fit into two of the grooves. I welded a piece of angle to the top as a handle, but it wasn't enough so I welded a nut to the center and used the impact driver to help loosen it. You need some pretty thick plate, think mine was two pieces of 3/16" plate together.

[texcwa]

Thanks for the info, may not even touch it, the outer bearing on both were cleaned up (in place) and appear to roll smoothly, already spent enough on all the other bearings, races, bushings and seals so unless there's a good reason to replace, then why, right???

[Desoto61]

I pulled both so I could clean, blast and paint the housings, but I only replaced the rear set since that's the one that gets all the use.