English axle pinion preload
Eventually got round to address the leaky diff on the kit car to discover
a) one of the prop bolts was finger tight, others not much tighter
b) about half the diff gasket was missing
c) pinion nut wasn't on tight; the pinion itself flopping about like a d*** in a bucket
The Haynes manual, mk 2 Escort, English axle says that a new crush tube needs to be fitted when disassembled and then the nut done up to the correct
preload - but I have not found what that preload is.
So what do I do?
AFAICT, there is a bearing inside, the crush tube goes in between this and a taper bearing, as the pinion nut is done up it forces the rollers up
against the conical race taking up the slack; obviously the preload is to prevent over tightening this(?)
So without knowing the figures what would be the procedure to get this about right?
I am thinking tighten without the tube in place to get a feel of how far it goes in and spin the pinion to feel for slack and excess tightness; then
put in the tube, tighten not quite as far, spin the pinion, feel, then do up a little bit until free play is gone, then a tiny nip to finish.
Sounds good or not?
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