Anyone change a Pinion Seal on the Sterling 11.6?

[MVI]

When we remove the nut/yoke, we always put in a new crush sleeve.

That said, I bet a lot of guys don't swap crush sleeves, like Kenny

@gmbpilot757 and @Toxophilite

Don't shoot the messenger, but In the Ford Service Manual it is clear for the M275 and M300 and M315 Axles the Ford Service Manual says you are fine to index and mark the flange, Pull the Axles, and take a torque reading, swap the seal, and re torque, etc. to swap the seal and flange, use a new flange nut

etc and so forth.


However the Ford Service Manual is Very Clear on how to R&R the Pinion Flange on the 11.6
FWIW - The First Note in the Ford Service Manual procedure says new Crush Sleeve.

This could be as the M series is a proven axle and thousands of seals have been swapped just fine the easy way.
While the Sterling could be more conservative with the "NEW" 11.6 and mandates a new crush sleeve.

Hope this helps !

 

[MVI]

If you have access to a digital torque wrench, you can use it to measure the drag on the pinion. It won't be much. Set the wrench to inch lb. Like 2-3 ftlb range if memory is correct.

Book says this if for the M series only, and you should pull the axles out to get a good reading.

 

[Poor White Boy]

Book says this if for the M series only, and you should pull the axles out to get a good reading.

Those books also say replace about every nut and bolt with new when working on any portion or area of truck ........those M series axle assemblies are almost the exact same as a Dana 80 that they replaced.Ecept for repair of pinion seals.......in book

 

[gmbpilot757]

@gmbpilot757 and @Toxophilite

Don't shoot the messenger, but In the Ford Service Manual it is clear for the M275 and M300 and M315 Axles the Ford Service Manual says you are fine to index and mark the flange, Pull the Axles, and take a torque reading, swap the seal, and re torque, etc. to swap the seal and flange, use a new flange nut
View attachment 276849
View attachment 276850
View attachment 276851
etc and so forth.


However the Ford Service Manual is Very Clear on how to R&R the Pinion Flange on the 11.6
FWIW - The First Note in the Ford Service Manual procedure says new Crush Sleeve.

View attachment 276844
View attachment 276841
View attachment 276842
View attachment 276843
View attachment 276845
View attachment 276846
View attachment 276847
View attachment 276848

This could be as the M series is a proven axle and thousands of seals have been swapped just fine the easy way.
While the Sterling could be more conservative with the "NEW" 11.6 and mandates a new crush sleeve.

Hope this helps !

There’s a new carrier housing on there. Got under the truck yesterday and I can clearly tell it was replaced and is new. As the manual you referenced states, there are clear paint pin marks on it. Looks like you’re saying the Ford MM says to replace the crush sleeve on the 11.6? May have to call the dealer today.

As for the vent tubes, not blocked that can tell. From the tech’s write up it looks as if it was irregular wear that causing the leak. Not sure if a blocked vent tube would lead to that

 

[MVI]

There’s a new carrier housing on there. Got under the truck yesterday and I can clearly tell it was replaced and is new. As the manual you referenced states, there are clear paint pin marks on it. Am I to take your notes as they should have replaced the crush sleeve?

As for the vent tubes, not blocked that can tell. From the tech’s write up it looks as if it was irregular wear that causing the leak. Not sure if a blocked vent tube would lead to that

I'm Sure you will be fine, but The FORD Service Manual does indeed say to replace the crush sleeve for the Sterling 11.6" Axle when changing the Pinion Flange Seal.

For the Dana M series axles, then per the book you mark it, pull the axles, document the torque and replace the seal, install new flange (if needed) and nut, then Re-Torque it.

Randy Lyman also allows this technique provided the tech drops the axles, and measures torque before and after.

Just for kicks I Leafed thru my Differential book this morning, the one from Randy's Ring and Pinion that I refer to when building axles

Here is what Randy says

YMMV

 

[gmbpilot757]

Just walked into the dealership and spoke with the service advisor. Yes, the crush sleeve was replaced. The pinion kit PC3Z 4676 A includes a new sleeve. The advisor knew exactly what I was referencing and said they are replacing quite a few pinion seals these days. His best guess was incorrect torque specs coming from the factory.

@MVI

 

[JCKustoms]

I just replaced the gear oil and diff cover a month ago, everything looked perfect.

You'll be fine if you tighten it back to at least where it is now. You might want to get a backlash measurement before you loosen the nut, then make sure its the same after you perform the seal replacement. Just for a double check.