1980 pinion seal: cant get the yoke off!

[zackm58941]

Hi, after trying to change out the pinion seal today on my 80' vette, I was stopped by not being able to remove the yoke. The nut came off with no problems and I tried to pry behind it a little but nothing, wouldnt budge! Anyone have any sugestions on how to get it off? Would it be better to reconnect the driveshaft to the differential and pry from the center of the u-joint? Thanks for any help!

 

[JohnZ]

After you replace the seal and slide the yoke back on, don't forget to pack the ends of the splines and the cavity under the washer with a non-hardening sealer like Permatex #2 before you install the washer and tighten the nut, or it'll leak through the splines and the nut instead of around the O.D. where the seal is. Also, don't try and seat the seal O.D. flush to the front of the diff nose; you need 1/16"-1/8" gap between the flange on the seal and the diff nose, or the seal will be torn up and you'll get to do it all over again.

 

[zackm58941]

Thanks for all the help!! I put off doing it again till this weekend, I just wish there was more room under there! Oh well, thanks again.

Zack