D30 play in pinion help

[trashman]

 ok if you move the drive shaft in reverse it backs out about one quarter to ahalf inch when u run the drive shaft forword it tightens back up bearings feel good can i ajust this out any help would be great

[TJ-2thousand]

try taking the drive shaft off the yoke and tighting the pinion nut. i think it is supossed to be 250 lbs ft.

my rear did this a while back, i had to do this every month or so till i replaced the nut. now its all good.

[trashman]

thank u very much it worked well but about half turn in the drive shaft and it clicks thinkin i might need new gears whata you think

[YJ_Aaron]

Best bet is to pull the cover and snap some pics.  Will give us a better chance of really diagnosing the problem.

[TJ-2thousand]

it clicks with the tires on the ground? that dont sound good man. yeah post up some pics!

[trashman]

no not on the ground up on stands itsjustweird i will have to get my hands on a camera.  ring gear looked ok

[TJ-2thousand]

put the tires on the ground and then try to tighten that pinion nut. it needs to be REALLY tight. you will probably need to use a bar on the ratchet to get it tight enough.

but the tires need to be held in place and not able to turn.

[iJeep]

If it's a TJ or other D30 with a crush sleeve you should take the cover off and carrier out.  Make sure there isnt any damage. If not, put a new crush sleeve on the pinion shaft and slowly tighten it until you get the right pinion preload.

[trashman]

Ok i set it on the ground torqed the pinion nut to 220 lbs . Jacked it up spun the weels and about every other spin it clicks afuw times

[TJ-2thousand]

take your cover off and when you drain the fluid check for chunks of metal. then look and see if you are missing any teeth off the ring gear.

[OJTV8CJ]

no not on the ground up on stands itsjustweird i will have to get my hands on a camera.  ring gear looked ok

Check the spider gears.  Really you will just have to check all of it.  I would say that you are missing something on the pinion or something let go in the spider gears.

[trashman]

OK i popd the cover the gears look good but i can see half the bearing under the cap on the pasenger side could that give it enuff play to rattle

[trashman]

after looking at them spin for about an hour [5 year olds will spin 33s all day] it looks like the pinion and ring gear are out of sink could this have happend when i torked it down could i have did to much

[trashman]

its a bent pinion

[trashman]

thanks