UPDATE 4, Bad News -- Replacing rear bearings on a Dodge pickup?

Well, since Carl has since retracted his statement, how about 'I'm right?'

No it doesn't.

You don't have to set the bearing pre-load before measuring pinion depth. Pinion depth is merely a static measurement from the back face of the pinion gear to the ring gear line. All that is needed is the pinion gear, rear pinion bearing and rear bearing outer race.

If you think about what you're asserting, the crush sleeve is stronger than the rear pinion bearing, race and the axle case.

If I'm doing an in chassis rebuild, I might be inclined to install the front pinion bearing, pre-load it and take my depth measurement, if it's a bench top rebuild or on a ChryCo 8.75 or a Ford 9", gravity works quite well to hold the pinion in place. Sorry, I just don't see 15-25 in.lb. of bearing pre-load moving the rear pinion bearing and race a whole hell of a lot, certainly not within the resolution of the shims that are currently available.

I have plenty of friends, in fact, it makes getting any work done quite a challenge sometimes. But I don't make friends with people who get huffy and puffy with me just because I have the balls to point out when they're in error.

Well, I'd apologize, but that really isn't my fault, is it?

Are you suggesting that the torque applied to a pinion nut to crush a crush sleeve is anywhere close to lugnut torque?

Atually all the crusher sleeve does is keep the nut tight.

beekeep

And exactly how do you think it does that?

Greg in this something that you learned in your S&M class? :^)

If there's a chance that you're not going to like the answer, don't ask the question. Yeah, I have a high opinion of myself. See if you can figure out the difference between that and your big fat ego.

Uh... It's right up top in the headers.

Nope.

Nope.

You'd have to ask my wife.

"Harley comma too?" No Carl, I don't own a Harley, but I'm sure you'll think of something else to project about.

Yes he does. Your point is?

Time for you to head on back to alt.bs'ers.knowitall.shopgrunt

If the sleeve wasn't there you would get too much preload on the pinion bearings causing them to overheat, wear and fail. The nut would then become loose , vibrate off, and then you would really have problems.

beekeep

That doesn't answer the question Greg. I know what it does and asked you HOW it does it. Think about its name and then if it can be re-used.