May seem obvious but how do you unstake the pinion nut (rear)? FSM just says to "unstake with chissel". The to me implies brute force - just worried that I could damage the pinion shaft (?) by chiseling out the embedded part of the flange on that nut.

Also - assuming that once done, you just restake with a punch.

Any tips? Doesn't look like it will want to budge much until its completely unstaked. Tried doing it just now in a dark driveway holding a maglight in between my knees with a chissel and framing hammer. Hopefully will go better in daylight with a tip or two from you all.

 

If you have a small cheap chisel you can grind or file it down, until it is narrow enough fit in the slot. Then just take your time and work it under the staked part .The one I used was flat on one side and tapered on the other.

 

I always use new Nuts they are not that expensive.

I keep have a dozen in my parts bin

 

Buzz it off with an impact. Replace with new nut.

:wabbit2:

 

okay will use new nut once I get this off.

The only impact I have is a 18v dewalt - don't think that is good for 150ft-lbs + whatever extra torque you'd need to cause breakage to the steakage.

Sound like I'll just have to take my time. Maybe I can carefully use a cutoff wheel... probably would do more harm than good.

 

No cut off wheels! Even if you have to use a screw driver to pry up the indented part.