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After the success with the tranny and transfer,( Thanks for the help). Ive decided to do the rear axle bearings as well. I studdied the manuel( powertrain body and frame) M38. A few special tools required, of these I have a dial indicator only. I can handle everything ,but the pinion settings Im rather leary about attempting. Has anyone here done this job themselves? Thanks bucky

Bucky, I am working on it now (front axle - rear axle is next), although I am not changing out all of my bearings, mainly replacing seals. I am putting my front axle back together over the next few weeks and will post pics, etc. on my blog (see address in my sig below).

Where are you located?

I would recommend getting and reading Ludel's book as a supplement to the TM - his descriptions and commentary are very helpful:
http://www.amazon.com/Jeep-Rebuilders-M ... 97&sr=1-14
He mentions "reaming" the old bearings out slightly to a "slide fit" to test shim thicknesses before pressing the new bearings on, for example. It also has some descriptions that made things much more clear.

Sample Pages:





You will need a 0-1" micrometer to measure shims, and a hefty torque wrench to torque the pinion nut back on right.

My approach, if I were doing all of the bearings, would be to replace the bearings and put the shims back with the exact same thicknesses, then use gear marking compound (GM PART # 1052351) and the dial indicator to test and adjust from there.

Having said all of that, I haven't done mine yet ... just thinking about it a lot! I am sure that there are people that monitor this board that have done this 100's of times so I anxiously await their responses too!

How does one get around setting the pinion adjustment without these tools?

Moved to Tech Knowledge Base

Tdavis, Im from a little town called Lowden ,Iowa About 30 miles due east of Cedar Rapids. I call around and order the book tommorrow,clearly a valuable book to have. Thanks for the tip. Bucky