So this may be a dumb question but can I replace the pinion seal in the front of my 85 by popping the nut and yoke off or will I have to re-setup the 3rd member? I'm in the process of rebuilding my knuckles and want to get this pesky leak fixed in the process. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Interested in this as well

 

Yes...

http://4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/...eal/index.html

 

I have torqued them to as much as 140 foot pounds without increasing the preload any. This should be plenty tight.
I degrease the splines and yoke and locktite everything on reassembly.

 

Thanks for the replies/links guys. Helps a bunch.

 

I've done it plenty of times without messing up the preload. A tip that I have found is to put the new seal on the yoke as it would normally sit. Then put the yoke, with the seal on there, into the pinion. Then start to tighten the bold down, but don't torque it, just enough to seat the seal in the pinion housing. Then take the yoke off again and the seal will be about 3/4 of the way into the housing. This will make sure it's even all around and not in lop sided. Then I always tap the final little bit to make sure the seal does not ride in the same groove.