1972 Blazer rear end yoke grease cover

[tabs2471]

Hi everyone.....I have a question about the rear pinion yoke on my 72 Blazer......the dust cover on the yoke separated from the yoke....making a terrible rattling sound because it moves and spins freely....I think I know the answer but I want to be sure....do I have to replace the whole yoke with new cover since they are supposed to be attached? Also, if I do replace it, how much do I torque the bolt back down once removed? I tried looking up that info and seems that I cannot find a direct answer. Thanks!

[ETsC10]

bump

[cleszkie]

If your pinion seal is not leaking, I would remove the yoke nut with an impact wrench, pull the yoke off with a puller tool, and remove the offending dust cover. From here, you could either reassemble the yoke without the dust cover, or source out a new dust cover and press it onto the yoke before you reassemble it. If you like to do things by brute force, you could just cut off the offending dust cover with and angle grinder without removing the yoke.

[tjsblazer]

I agree. Unless you have a leak. I wouldn't pull stuff apart until I had to. Cut it off or could you put two small tack welds on it. 180* from one another.

[tabs2471]

I appreciate the responses. The seal isn't leaking so I went ahead and cut it off! Thanks!