pinion seal

[acebir]

Took the truck into the Ford house for a pinion seal leak. Marked all of the rear lugnuts with a crayon to see if the tech was going to remove the rear wheels and brake calipers to do the job. All of this is part of Ford procedure on how to replace the pinion seal. They are also to replace the nut and 4 bolts that hold on the driveshaft abd a chush colar. To make a long story some what short they did none of the above. They billed me out for a new seal and no other parts. I am asumming they charged me for the labor to do it the right way but took a few short cuts.
I was told by the service writer if I want to bring the truck back and they would do it the like Ford says.
Is there a way to check the thickness of the pads without removeing the tires. They say they can and they did.

[kingranch250]

be hard to as long as the seal was replaced i wouldnt worry so much about the driveshaft bolts or the pinion nut. unless u really want it. they probally just looked through the wheel to see wat the pads look like but if thats how they did it you can only see the front pad not the back side pad

[dhanna6powerstroke]

Have no idea why it says to remove the wheels and all of that to replace the pinion seal seeing as how the rear axle is full floating and you can remove them by just taking the center caps off and unbolting the shafts.

[acebir]

They remove all of those items to get the preload right on the pinion bearing, they are suppose to check how muck torque in inch pounds it takes to remove the nut or spin the pinion. I am not sure that is why I took it to the EXPERT FORD TECH other wise I would of done it in my drive way. If they leave them on the drag form the brakes and I guess the weight of the tires will through it all off. One would assume when it is assembeled in the factory the tires and brakes are not on it yet.

[melmount]

i think if i remember correct when reinstalling it, it should be about 5 inch pounds harder to turn then it was before removed. Getting a smooth feel would be easier with the wheels off.
Most guys use impact guns to remove and reinstall the pinion nut. That hammering beats on the pinion. I did mine this way no issues but it was not correct. Theres tools to hold the pinion, then use a long ratchet.