So i replaced U-joints on my jeep and went to drive it the next day only to have the rear u-joint come apart and my driveshaft drop going down the highway. After further investigation and a new U-joint i found out that the tab that hold the snap clip in on the yoke has broke off. I bought a new crush seal, oil seal, and yoke but how tight do i need to get the nut. I know if its the wrong ft/lbs then it will mess up my pinion gears. So whats the correct ft/lbs?

 

What axle? If it has a crush sleeve and you over torque it you have to replace it. I usually use a torque wrench to remove it so I know how much it had on it. It takes about 250 ftlbs. to crush a crush sleeve.

 

Actually you want about 6 in/lbs breakaway torque for proper pinion bearing preload.

With an already installed crush sleeve mark the position of the nut relative to the pinion shaft. Remove the nut & replace seal & swap yokes, then replace the nut in the same position. Without the proper teardown & tools that would be my best advice.

 

its the rear axle. I only have a ft/lbs torque wrench. any idea what it would be? or do i need to go rent a in/lbs.?

 

if your good you can feel it, just feel about how much torque with your hand it takes to start turning the pinion shaft with no ring gear in it- so your spinning only the pinion. its not the most accurate, but its better than nothing.

marking the nut would probably also work, neither method is as good as a proper torque wrench. if your lucky you may be able to rent/borrow one.