Goofed on my rear end. Whining after seal change.

OBSOkie · Jul 18, 2024

So I replaced my rear pinion seal and put some 80w-90 in it. Took it for a drive and now I’m getting intermittent whining from the rear end.

I had the truck on ramps, redid the rear pinion seal and tail shaft seal and bushing.

While it was on ramps I added fluid until it ran out of the hole.

Could it be overfilled? Thought about grabbing a diff gasket and just draining it completely and adding in a fresh 2 qts.

My main goof is I forgot to take a pic of the nut and how many threads were showing. So I tried to guess. Thinking I’m going to have to pull the prop shaft back off and redo the pre-load I guess?

OBSOkie · Jul 18, 2024

Also if someone knows where in the manual it’s located that’d be awesome I can’t seem to find it.

Schurkey · Jul 18, 2024

WHAT AXLE? Kinda guessing it's an 8.5".

2WD or 4WD?

Is this the vehicle in your signature?

OBSOkie said:
So I replaced my rear pinion seal and put some 80w-90 in it. Took it for a drive and now I’m getting intermittent whining from the rear end.

Intermittent whine doesn't seem like it should be a pinion-nut problem.

OBSOkie said:
I had the truck on ramps, redid the rear pinion seal and tail shaft seal and bushing.

Did you verify the U-joints when the driveshaft was removed?

OBSOkie said:
While it was on ramps I added fluid until it ran out of the hole.

Ramps on the rear, or front and rear? Could be over-filled, depending on vehicle angle.

OBSOkie said:
Thought about grabbing a diff gasket and just draining it completely and adding in a fresh 2 qts.

Look up the actual differential-lube capacity, which is probably not "2 qts".

OBSOkie said:
My main goof is I forgot to take a pic of the nut and how many threads were showing. So I tried to guess. Thinking I’m going to have to pull the prop shaft back off and redo the pre-load I guess?

If you got it too tight, you may have over-crushed the crush-sleeve, and now the whole differential comes apart.

Not worth it. The 8.5" axle is weak, and the brakes are crap on most of 'em.

Find a suitable width 9.5" "14-bolt" axle in good condition with the correct gear ratio. Enjoy the stronger axle AND the much-better brakes. If this is a 2WD, you'll need special axle-shafts to keep your 5-lug wheels.

Schurkey · Jul 18, 2024

OBSOkie said:
Also if someone knows where in the manual it’s located that’d be awesome I can’t seem to find it.

In '88, it's Service Manual section 4B1 "Rear axle".

Probably the same in '89.

OBSOkie · Jul 18, 2024

Schurkey said:
In '88, it's Service Manual section 4B1 "Rear axle".

Probably the same in '89.

Yes 2wd. Truck in sig.

Yes 8.5”.

What do you mean “verify u-joints”?

Ramps on rear.

Capacity according to the manual is 4.2 pints. Or 2.1qts.

Goofed on my rear end. Whining after seal change.

OBSOkie

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