Pinion Woes

[mustangcobra93]

I'm in the process of changing gears from the stock 3.08 to 3.55. I've got the differential out and am currently trying to get the pinion off. I took the pinion nut off and the flange. The instructions I have say that the pinion should fall loose with those removed. However, my pinion didn't move at all. I've beat the hell out of it trying to get it out and its not moving. What am I doing wrong?

 

[ss93cobra]

WOW.. Alright, you removed the center diff. assy which should leave you staring into the back of the pig at nothing but the pinion gear. No ring gear, side gears, spider gears, center pin and shaft, bearing caps removed, etc. At this point there is NOTHING keeping it in other than the nut on the front side of the rear end, the pinion nut. Nothing at all. I can't believe it got "stuck" to the bearing or race or anything like that. Can you rotate it?

 

[matm347]

Yes, it should come out with no problems, not sure why you'd have to beat on it!

 

[mustangcobra93]

WOW.. Alright, you removed the center diff. assy which should leave you staring into the back of the pig at nothing but the pinion gear. No ring gear, side gears, spider gears, center pin and shaft, bearing caps removed, etc. At this point there is NOTHING keeping it in other than the nut on the front side of the rear end, the pinion nut. Nothing at all. I can't believe it got "stuck" to the bearing or race or anything like that. Can you rotate it?

Yep, the diff is out and the pinion nut is off. It rotates fine, just won't come out.

 

[Ranchero5.0]

Bigger hammer and hit it harder. Should have fell out, but may have siezed to the bearing. I had one tight, but the rest always fell out.

Jamie

 

[fordman54935]

Make sure the crush collar is off. This might be just enough to keep the pinion from coming out.