Loose pinion flange?

[Fordracer666]

Hi I am new to the forum. I just bought a 99 expy 4x4 4.6l

So I went over the truck yesterday.
I've got a couple questions. I grabbed the driveshaft to check
The u joints . And the pinion flange is loose. Seems like the nut is loose?
Ive done some research and it seems like it happens often on ford rears.
Can't I just tighten it up Or tq it??
I know that I should change the crush sleeve and seal. But the seal isn't leaking
And the other question is .
Can I add a torsion lift and spring spacer on a full air suspension truck?

Thanks in advance.

 

[SkyJumper]

Well if it is not leaking, then yes try tightening it down to specs. But it may be a pinion bearing that has gone awry. And this is not that common of a problem, and when it is, it is usually because PO failed to torque the pinion nut to specs, and just mind over matter torqued it.

 

[Fordracer666]

Tq

What should the tq be ?

 

[SkyJumper]

The Pinion Preload is the rotational torque you would get if you placed a dial Indicating inch pound torque wrench on the pinion nut and turned it without the carrier installed, it measures the free rotational force required to turn the assembled pinion gear and is required so your Pinion bearings will fully seated and prevents them from being too loose. I would never go by the set torque they give you for the pinion nut as it is the required torque to crush the collar only. I get the collar crushed using the above method(old nut used) and then afterwards it's easier to turn and tighten. After that I take carefull turns on it until I start to feel the pinion seating in the bearings, then I take 1/8-1/16 turns, alternately checking with the Dial indicating Inch pound torque wrench for the correct preload. The torque required or described is only for the crush sleeve, not the final torque on the nut.

Since you do not know what the original pre-load was, you will have to use common sense to do this, and hope it is right.

Step by step,

Tighten the pinion nut to at least 160 ft. lbs., taking frequent turning torque readings until the original preload reading is attained. If the original preload reading, that you noted before disassembly, is lower than the specified reading of 8-14 inch lbs. for used bearings; 16-29 inch lbs. for new bearings, keep tightening the pinion nut until the specified reading is reached. If the original preload reading is higher than the specified values, tighten the nut just until the original reading is reached.

 

[Fordracer666]

Thanks

Ok thank you very much for your help sir.