OT, 97 GMC Truck Axel Question

I have a problem that I could use some help with. When removing my driveshaft on my '97 GMC K1500 I broke one of the bolts that hold the u-joints to the rear diff yoke.

I removed the yoke to fix the broken bolt. After this, I read the repair manual and it says to check the preload BEFORE you remove the yoke, oops...

What do you think is the best way to get this back together without it self destructing in a few miles?

Regards, Tim in Mass

As long as your shaft is now loose and you feel side and end play - just slowly tighten the nut on the pinion until all play is gone - i.e. zero end play. To be safe, don't go beyond that. Put it all togeher, drive it a bit, and then recheck it - by trying to wobble the pinion when there is no load on it. If, after driving, it still feels tight with no play - then leave it alone. If you feel a little play, crank the nut just a little tighter. If you want a more sophisticated adjustement - you can use a dial indicator - but it's not necessary. You can also adjust by measuring the rolling torque of the pinion - but that can also be complicated. The reality is - if you have it adjusted to zero endplay - or with a small amount of bearing crush/preload - the seal will not leak, you will have no unwanted bearing or pinion movement, and all will be fine. Zero endplay will never hurt a thing, whereas a overtight bearing preload will ruin the bearings - sometimes very quickly.

I will check the pinion for end play tomorrow.

I have never worked on rear axels before, hard to tell right, but it seems that there is very little torque on the nut. I guess this is normal?

Thanks again.

I will check the pinion for end play tomorrow.

I have never worked on rear axels before, hard to tell right, but it seems that there is very little torque on the nut. I guess this is normal?

Thanks again.