Okay, I shut my brain off for maintenance for a while, and in the ensuing hour I pulled my rear axle yoke off with the intention of drilling it out for u-bolts instead of those damn straps. Anyway, I realized once I had it off that not only could I not drill it out for the u-bolts I had, because it wouldn't work, but now I had the damn thing off the diff, and I don't know what torque to put it back on to so as to not mess up my gears.

To answer the enevitable question, I don't have my manual, its back at school. And I can't find squat on the internet.

So if someone could help me out here, i'd appreciate it. Its an 85 CJ7, with the widetrac AMC 20 (I know, I know. I'm in the process of getting my Scout 44, but this had to last until then). It has 2.73 gears (yuck) if that makes a difference.

Would appreciate the info so I can put this damn thing back together. TIA.

Boots

The 20 has a crush sleeve and the only real way to get it right is to tighten the nut until you reach the correct amt. of preload on the pinion bearings, about 5-10 in. lbs on used bearings. Trying to get it right without disassembling the diff. is gonna be a crap shoot. Tighten it until it has no play in and out then snug it down a bit more. Clean the pinion threads and nut and use red lock tight. You already have the yoke off so you may as well replace the pinion seal as well.