4wd rear differential question

[mitch sonsteng]

Hi guys I have a 1973 Chevy shortbed 4x4 that my dad and I have completely restored. There are just a few little things yet to finish fixing on it though. The pinion shaft is loose where the driveshaft bolts up to the rear diffrential. You can grab the whole drivesahft and move it up and down within a 1/32 of an inch and it leaks fluid. What kind of job is it to repalace the bearings for the pinion shaft? The nut on the yolk is tight. Just wondering what I really needed to do to fix that looseness and how hard it was to fix it. Thanks

[bake74]

     If I am correct you should have a 10 bolt rear end.  You will have to take the pumkin cover off, slide out both axles and get into the guts and remove the pinon gear and bearing.  You have to drive the bearing out so you need to get the gears out of the way.

[Captkaos]

73 should have a 12bolt from the factory.

[NevadaNeal]

Capt is correct. 12 bolt. thats what my 73 had. Your going to have to pull the whole thing apart so plan on a complete rebuild. The carrier has to come out so may as well freashen every thing up.

[Irish_Alley]

Could just get a match axle at the yard

[reallyrusty]

If it has been that loose for a while, the pinion has probably worn the ring funny.
Only a good look will tell but you might have to start with all new parts.

[Sartobuilt]

Pull the yolk and seal off, slide the bearing and crush sleeve out and replace the crush sleeve. Reset pinion pre load. Install new seal. Install yolk and your ready to go.

[VileZambonie]

There are two pinion bearings, one of which needs to be pressed on and off meaning the carrier needs to come out. To set pinion bearing preload you need to have the carrier removed as well.

[bake74]

     I get it, I get it.  Don't beat on with a hammer, treat it like it's an egg.  LOL

[beastie_3]

I think it was the spelling....yolk vs yoke....