new pinon seal - pinon preload question

[88Stanger]

So i decided today to change pinon front seal. i did not mark the nut so i will be using and inch lbs spec for this on the pinon nut. My question is when you use the inch lbs torgue needle style wrench, do i do this with the axles in? I have the brakes off and just replaced the outside axle seals also. So i have read that used bearings is 12 inch lbs to turn the pinon, again is this with the axles installed or not?
Thanks for any help!!!!

[Katrina/10]

That's done with no ring gear and a new crush sleeve.

[Bigdav160]

The Dana 44 uses shims instead of a crush collar. The 12 inch/lb spec is not for the nut but for the rotational torque of the pinion gear.

Just tighten the nut up as tight as you can get it.

[hamjet]

What ever the specs call for to tighten the crush collar when installed new, I would tighten it to the same specs or 5 to 10 ft. lbs less as not to crush the collar any more...I've also read to measure the distance the nut is on the threads and return it to the same depth, but that does'nt sound too acurate to me..

[Bigdav160]

So i decided today to change pinon front seal

I somehow read this as the OP was working on a front axle (Dana). If the OP is working on the rear axle (12 bolt GM?) then you must tighten the nut until it gets harder to turn. This is the point where the original crush collar is collapsed. Tightening further puts addition strain on the bearings and not tighten enough causes the pinion gear to walk in and out.

The torque specification is not really relevant for this repair.

[88Stanger]

Everyone, thanks so much for the advice. I think I good it done. Now to sand blast.....