We have a 1998 4WD 4DR 3:42 ratio with 7-5/8 ring gear. We changed the front seal on the rear differential, did not know about marking where the nut was before taking it apart, good thing is no more leak, bad thing is the rear differential is really loud right now, we are sure it's because the pinion nut is not tightened properly. Since we did not mark it's position how do we get it adjusted correctly now, what is the torque for it? It is loud driving, even worse when you let off the accelerator so I would think it's not tight enough and not coming fully disengaged when letting off the accelerator right?? PLEASE any help would be greatly appreciated as we can not afford to go to a shop right now. Everything inside gears etc looked fine, very little on magnet.

 

You are in for a fun time. If you have over tightened the pinion nut, you will need a new crush sleeve and you will need to drop the differential out of the axle housing. You will then install the new sleeve between the bearings on the pinion and tighten the axle nut down until you have a turning resistance between 8 - 12 inch lbs for used bearings. Hopefully you have not ruined the bearings.

If you replace the bearings on the pinion, you will then need to go through the entire setup process for the rear end. If you have never done this, I suggest finding someone that has.