88 cherokee with dana 30. Trying to reinstall the pinion after replacing all the bearings and such and when I tighten the pinion nut the pinion gets tight and don't spin freely. I followed the books instruction to tighten the nut to 210ft/lbs and I don't even get close before it won't spin. I've pulled it back apart several times trying to find stuff missing or out of place and am out of ideas.

 

Replace the crush washer...

 

there is no crush washer in the early 30

 

You need to add shims until you get to the correct rotating torque.

 

when i pulled mine apart a couple off shims fell into the kneck of the axle could not see them used finger to get them out only take a couple missing to cause your issue...

 

thanks guys, going back out to check

 

yup shim problem