watson30

Hey guys,

My 2006 GT just hit 60,300 miles and is now suddenly leaking differential fluid from the pinion seal. Should I have the dealership fix it so they can check preload? or should I drop the driveshaft, remove the pinion flange and change the seal myself?

I have the tools required to remove and install everything to proper torque spec, but I'm worried about doing this myself because I have no idea on how to check preload.

Any tips?

Thanks

brunobluto

You can do it. But you do need an INCH pound torque wrench. They are hard to find, but absolutely necessary to do it right. Once you find one, attach it to the pinion nut and turn it with it jacked up and wheels off. It should be around 16 inch pounds. whatever it is, thats the preload and its what you should tighten it back down to after you replace the seal.

watson30

This is all new to me so don't mind the questions. Why exactly does it need to be in inch pounds? Could I do this job on a set of ramps? if not, why do I have to take the wheels off in order to have this done correctly? The reason I ask is because I noticed in Toco Bill's how to install a new pinion flange, he removes the flange and pinion seal then torques the pinion nut to 140ft lbs. Any reason why?

https://mustangforums.com/forum/2005...ll-w-pics.html

Thanks again!

brunobluto

I'm not very articulate(spelled right?) So, this is the best i can do. You need to determine the existing preload on the pinion bearings, which like i stated, should be AROUND 16 inch pounds. It might be more or less, whatever it is , thats what you need to set it at when re-installingthe pinion nut. It probably takes well in excess of 200 ft pounds to tighten the pinion nut up in order to get 16 inch pounds of turning resistance when just turning the pinion nut. If that makes any sense. I'm not 100% you need to remove the wheels to check the existing preload, it just seems like a good idea. You need an old school style inch pound torque wrench to get it done. A clicker type wont work.