Had pinion seal repaired on 1995 v-6 camaro 36000 miles ,bearing failure 1800 miles later, no water , mechanic says he never removed pinion nut or crush collar , is this possible!! thanks mike

If its a 4x4 remove rear drive shaft from vehicle, remove large nut (pinion nut) at front of diff which is generally hidden when driveshaft is in place. with a bearing puller remove pinion bearing replace with new one, install new pinion seal reinstall pinion cover and pinion nut tighten to specified torgue reinstall driveshaft check diff oil for proper amount

remove the tail shaft . undo the pinion nut with a impact gun and pull the pinion off the shaft. Using a suitable tool pick the seal out of the housing. replace it with a new seal leaving it flush with the housing edge. Check the pinion for a groove where the old seal was running . If there is one ,fit a "speedie" sleeve ( from a bearing shop) or get a new pinion . reinstall the pinion and do up the nut until it touches the pinion on the shaft. Add up to a 1/4 more turn or less . Too much will over tension the spacer between the bearings and cause rapid bearing failure. Refit the tail shaft

There are two places it can leak from. The rear differential cover or the pinion seal at the front of the differential. Both are easy to replace. The pinion seal will require a little more labor than the differential cover plate. You will have to remove the drive line and then break the pinion nut loose. Use a good impact wrench for this and a six point socket for that step. Then you will need to remove the yoke from the pinion gear. Should be able to tap it off. If not use a puller. Remove the old pinion seal with a flat tip screw driver by driving it through the lip of the old seal and push the screwdriver to the side and it will pop out. Clean the hole for the new seal. install the new seal and the yoke. Tighten the pinion nut. You will need to get access to a manual to check the bearing preload on the pinion nut. Then use a torque wrench to check for correct bearing preload. Re-install the drive line.

It may be the air pump, used on some models for emission control. You have to remove the pump and the bracket that holds it. See procedure at link below.
Repair Guides Engine Mechanical Water Pump AutoZone com

what about it?

conventional axle or limited slip? Get axle code off door sticker.

SECTION 205-02: Rear Drive Axle/Differential - Ford 8.8-Inch Ring Gear 1998 Explorer/Mountaineer Workshop Manual
IN-VEHICLE REPAIR Rear Wheel Bearing and Axle Shaft Oil Seal -4.0L SOHC and 4.0L EI, Conventional
Special Tool(s) Axle Seal Replacer
T83T-1175-A Axle Wheel Bearing Puller
T83T-1225-A Axle Wheel Bearing Replacer
T83T-1225-B Driver Handle
T80T-4000-W Impact Slide Hammer
T50T-100-A
Removal

1. Remove the axle shaft; refer to Axle Shaft in this section.

Axle Shaft Removal

1. CAUTION: Do not use heat to loosen a seized lug nut. Heat can damage the wheel (1007) and the rear wheel bearings (1225).
   Loosen the lug nuts (1012).
   1. Remove the center cap.
   1. With the weight of the vehicle on the wheels, loosen the lug nuts.

1. Raise and support the vehicle.

1. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
   1. Remove the lug nuts.
   1. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.

1. Remove the axle housing cover (4033).
   1. Loosen the axle housing cover bolts (4346) and drain the rear axle (4001).
   1. Remove the axle housing cover bolts.
   1. Remove the axle housing cover.

1. Remove the rear disc brake rotors (2C026); refer to Section 206-04 .

1. CAUTION: Once the differential pinion shaft (4211) has been removed, turning the differential case (4204) or an axle shaft (4234) will cause the differential pinion gears (4215) to fall out of the assembly. This could result in chipped or damaged components.
   Remove the differential pinion shaft.
   1. Remove the differential pinion shaft lock bolt.
   1. Remove the differential pinion shaft.

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the rubber O-rings in the U-washer grooves.
   Remove the U-washers (4N237).
   1. Push the axle shafts inboard.
   1. Remove the U-washers.

1. Reinstall the differential pinion shaft.
   1. Install the differential pinion shaft.
   1. Install the differential pinion shaft lock bolt finger-tight.

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the inner wheel bearing oil seal (1177).
   Remove the two axle shafts.

Installation

1. Lubricate the lip of the inner wheel bearing oil seal.
   • Use Premium Long-Life Grease XG-1-C or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C75-B.

1. CAUTION: Once the differential pinion shaft has been removed, turning the differential case or an axle shaft will cause the differential pinion gears to fall out of the assembly. This could result in chipped or damaged components.
   Remove the differential pinion shaft.
   1. Remove the differential pinion shaft lock bolt.
   1. Remove the differential pinion shaft.

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the inner wheel bearing oil seal.
   Install the two axle shafts.

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the rubber O-rings in the U-washer grooves.
   Install the U-washers.
   1. Position the two U-washers on the button end of the axle shafts.
   1. Pull the axle shafts outward.

1. Install the differential pinion shaft.
   1. Align the hole in the differential pinion shaft with the differential pinion shaft lock bolt hole.
   1. Install the differential pinion shaft lock bolt.

1. Install the rear disc brake rotors; refer to Section 206-04 .

1. Install the axle housing cover and fill the rear axle housing (4010) with 2.4 liters (5.5 pints) of specified lubricant; refer to Axle Housing Cover in this section.

1. WARNING: Always remove any corrosion, dirt or foreign material that may be present on the mounting surfaces of the wheel or the surface of the wheel hub or rear disc brake rotor that contacts the wheel. Installing wheels without proper metal-to-metal contact at the wheel mounting surfaces can cause the lug nut to loosen and the wheel to come off while the vehicle is in motion, causing loss of control.
   Clean the wheel hub and mounting surfaces.

1. Install the tire and wheel assembly.
   1. Position the tire and wheel assembly.
   1. Install the lug nuts and lower the vehicle.
   1. Tighten the lug nuts.
   1. Install the center cap.

1. CAUTION: Never remove the axle shaft oil seal by itself. Always remove the rear wheel bearing and the axle shaft oil seal at the same time.
   NOTE: If the axle shaft oil seal is leaking, the axle housing vent may be plugged with debris.
   Use Impact Slide Hammer and Axle Wheel Bearing Puller to remove the rear wheel bearing and the axle shaft oil seal.

Installation

1. Lubricate the new rear wheel bearing.
   1. Use Thermally Stable Rear Axle Lubricant XY-80W90-QL or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSP-M2C197-A.

1. Use Axle Wheel Bearing Replacer with Driver Handle to install the rear wheel bearing.

1. Lubricate the lip of the new axle shaft oil seal.
   • Use Premium Long-Life Grease XG-1-C or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C75-B.

1. Use Axle Seal Replacer with Driver Handle to install the axle shaft oil seal.

1. Install the axle shaft; refer to Axle Shaft in this section.

you need to open the dif and remove the locking nut and pinion shaft. Then push the axle in towards the center to remove the C clip thats on the axle.

Axle Vent
NOTE: If the vent cannot be cleared, it must be installed new.
A plugged vent will cause excessive seal lip wear due to internal pressure buildup. If a leak occurs, check the vent. Make sure the vent hose is not kinked. Remove the hose from the vent nipple and clear the hose of any foreign material. While the hose is removed, pass a length of mechanics wire or a small diameter Allen wrench in and out of the vent to clean it. Connect the hose when done. The vent is located on the drivers side top of axle housing.
If you plan on doing most repairs yourself I would suggest buying a Haynes or Chilton manual for your particular vehicle. Or there are some data disks on e.bay($12-$15) For a cost of under $25, you can almost do any repair yourself with these manuals.Also there are online manuals like the site called ALLDATA where guides can be viewed for a fee. All these solutions will save you time and money, and give peace of mind over correct repairs. I can post you some procedures here also.

1. CAUTION: Do not use heat to loosen a seized lug nut. Heat can damage the wheel (1007) and the rear wheel bearings (1225).
2. Loosen the lug nuts (1012).
3. Remove the center cap.
4. With the weight of the vehicle on the wheels, loosen the lug nuts Raise and support the vehicle. .Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
   
5. Remove the lug nuts.
   
6. Remove the wheel and tire assembly. Remove the axle housing cover (4033).
   
   1. Loosen the axle housing cover bolts (4346) and drain the rear axle (4001).
   1. Remove the axle housing cover bolts.
   1. Remove the axle housing cover.
   

7.Remove the rear disc brake rotors You will have to remove the brake caliper to get rotor off.
8. CAUTION: Once the differential pinion shaft (4211) has been removed, turning the differential case (4204) or an axle shaft (4234) will cause the differential pinion gears (4215) to fall out of the assembly. This could result in chipped or damaged components.
9.
1.Remove the differential pinion shaft lock bolt. 2.Remove the differential pinion shaft. 10.CAUTION: Do not damage the rubber O-rings in the U-washer grooves. Remove the U-washers (4N237).

1. Push the axle shafts inboard.
2. Remove the U-washers.

11.Reinstall the differential pinion shaft.
1. Install the differential pinion shaft.
1. Install the differential pinion shaft lock bolt finger-tight.

12.CAUTION: Do not damage the inner wheel bearing oil seal (1177). Remove the two axle shafts.

CAUTION: Never remove the axle shaft oil seal by itself. Always remove the rear wheel bearing and the axle shaft oil seal at the same time. NOTE: If the axle shaft oil seal is leaking, the axle housing vent may be plugged with debris. Use Impact Slide Hammer and Axle Wheel Bearing Puller to remove the rear wheel bearing and the axle shaft oil seal.

Axle bearing puller end..
Installation
Lubricate the lip of the inner wheel bearing oil seal.
Use Premium Long-Life Grease XG-1-C or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C75-B.

1. CAUTION: Once the differential pinion shaft has been removed, turning the differential case or an axle shaft will cause the differential pinion gears to fall out of the assembly. This could result in chipped or damaged components.
2. Remove the differential pinion shaft.
3. Remove the differential pinion shaft lock bolt.
4. Remove the differential pinion shaft.

CAUTION: Do not damage the inner wheel bearing oil seal. Install the two axle shafts. CAUTION: Do not damage the rubber O-rings in the U-washer grooves. Install the U-washers.
1. Position the two U-washers on the button end of the axle shafts.
1. Pull the axle shafts outward.

Install the differential pinion shaft.
1. Align the hole in the differential pinion shaft with the differential pinion shaft lock bolt hole.
1. Install the differential pinion shaft lock bolt.

Install the rear disc brake rotors; Install the axle housing cover and fill the rear axle housing (4010) with 2.4 liters (5.5 pints) of specified lubricant
WARNING: Always remove any corrosion, dirt or foreign material that may be present on the mounting surfaces of the wheel or the surface of the wheel hub or rear disc brake rotor that contacts the wheel. Installing wheels without proper metal-to-metal contact at the wheel mounting surfaces can cause the lug nut to loosen and the wheel to come off while the vehicle is in motion, causing loss of control. Clean the wheel hub and mounting surfaces. Install the tire and wheel assembly.
Position the tire and wheel assembly. Install the lug nuts and lower the vehicle. Tighten the lug nuts. Install the center cap. WHEW Hope this can help you

PINION FLANGE & OIL SEAL

CAUTION: Following procedure must be used to retain proper pinion bearing preload. Failure to follow procedure may result in premature axle assembly or component failure. Ensure pinion bearing preload is checked before disassembly, as previous pinion bearing preload will be used during reassembly.

Removal

1. Raise and support vehicle. Scribe reference mark on drive shaft-to-pinion flange on differential for reassembly reference. Remove bolts and "U" joint straps at pinion flange on differential.
Disconnect drive shaft from differential.
2. Remove rear wheels and brake drums to prevent any drag that may affect pinion bearing preload reading. Using INCH-lb. torque wrench, measure amount of force required to rotate pinion. This is pinion bearing preload. Record pinion bearing preload for reassembly reference.
3. Using Holder (6719), hold pinion flange. Remove pinion nut and washer. Scribe reference mark on pinion flange-to-pinion for reassembly reference. Using appropriate puller, remove pinion flange from pinion. Remove oil seal from axle housing.

Installation

1. Ensure oil seal surface in axle housing is clean. Coat lip of oil seal with gear lube. Install oil seal using appropriate seal installer. Drive oil seal into axle housing until oil seal installer contacts axle housing.
2. Install pinion flange on pinion with reference mark aligned. Using appropriate pinion flange installer, install pinion flange on pinion.

CAUTION: Washer must be installed on pinion with convex side of washer facing outward (away from pinion).

3. Install washer on pinion with convex side of washer facing outward (away from pinion). Install NEW pinion nut. Tighten pinion nut to 210 ft. lbs. (285 N.m). Rotate pinion several times to seat pinion bearings.

CAUTION: DO NOT overtighten or loosen then retighten pinion nut when adjusting pinion bearing preload. If pinion nut is overtightened, collapsible spacer on pinion must be replaced.

4. Rotate pinion using INCH-lb. torque wrench. Rotating torque should be equal to reading recorded in removal step 2) , plus 5 INCH lbs. (.056 N.m). If rotating torque is low, tighten pinion nut in small increments until proper rotating torque is obtained.
5. To install remaining components, reverse removal procedure using NEW "U" joint straps and bolts. Ensure all reference marks are aligned. Tighten bolts to specification. Check lubricant level and add if necessary.

here is a diagram on how to get the front pinion seal out and it does mention how to get the axle loose. please do not forget to rate and comment about your experience with fixya today.

1. Before servicing the vehicle, please familiarize yourself with safety procedures.
   
2. Remove both half shafts.
   
3. Mark propeller shaft and pinion flange for installation reference.
   
4. Remove front propeller shaft.
   
5. Rotate pinion gear three to four times, to verify pinion rotates smoothly.
   
6. Record pinion flange rotating torque with an inch pound torque wrench for installation reference.
   
7. Hold flange with Holder 6719 and four bolts and washers.
   
8. Remove pinion nut.
   
9. Remove flange with Remover C-452.
   
10. Remove pinion seal with a pry tool.
    Removing the companion flange
    Measuring pinion rotating torque
    Pinion seal installer
    Tightening the pinion nut
    

To install:

1. Apply a light coating of gear lubricant on the lip of pinion seal.
   
2. Install seal with Installer C-3972-A and Handle C-4171.
   
3. Install pinion flange onto the pinion with Installer C-3718 and holder.
   
4. Hold pinion flange with Holder 6719A.
   
5. Install new pinion nut and tighten nut until there is zero bearing end-play.
   
   CAUTION Do not exceed the minimum tightening torque when installing the companion flange at this point. Damage to the collapsible spacer or bearings may result.
   
6. Tighten pinion nut to 271 Nm (200 ft. lbs.).
   
   CAUTION Never loosen pinion nut to decrease pinion bearing rotating torque and never exceed specified preload torque. If preload torque or rotating torque is exceeded a new collapsible spacer must be installed.
   
7. Record pinion flange rotating torque, with a torque wrench. Rotating torque should be equal to the reading recorded during removal plus an additional 0.56 Nm (5 inch lbs.).
   
8. If rotating torque is low, tighten pinion nut in 6.8 Nm (5 ft. lbs.) increments until rotating torque is achieved.
   
   CAUTION If maximum tightening torque is reached prior to reaching the required rotating torque, the collapsible spacer may have been damaged. Replace the collapsible spacer.
   
9. Install propeller shaft with reference marks aligned.
   
10. Install half shafts.
    

here is a diagram on how to replace the front pinion seal.
please do not forget to rate and comment about your experience with fixya.

1. Before servicing the vehicle, please familiarize yourself with safety procedures.
   
2. Remove both half shafts.
   
3. Mark propeller shaft and pinion flange for installation reference.
   
4. Remove front propeller shaft.
   
5. Rotate pinion gear three to four times, to verify pinion rotates smoothly.
   
6. Record pinion flange rotating torque with an inch pound torque wrench for installation reference.
   
7. Hold flange with Holder 6719 and four bolts and washers.
   
8. Remove pinion nut.
   
9. Remove flange with Remover C-452.
   
10. Remove pinion seal with a pry tool.
    Removing the companion flange
    Measuring pinion rotating torque
    Pinion seal installer
    Tightening the pinion nut
    

To install:

1. Apply a light coating of gear lubricant on the lip of pinion seal.
   
2. Install seal with Installer C-3972-A and Handle C-4171.
   
3. Install pinion flange onto the pinion with Installer C-3718 and holder.
   
4. Hold pinion flange with Holder 6719A.
   
5. Install new pinion nut and tighten nut until there is zero bearing end-play.
   
   CAUTION Do not exceed the minimum tightening torque when installing the companion flange at this point. Damage to the collapsible spacer or bearings may result.
   
6. Tighten pinion nut to 271 Nm (200 ft. lbs.).
   
   CAUTION Never loosen pinion nut to decrease pinion bearing rotating torque and never exceed specified preload torque. If preload torque or rotating torque is exceeded a new collapsible spacer must be installed.
   
7. Record pinion flange rotating torque, with a torque wrench. Rotating torque should be equal to the reading recorded during removal plus an additional 0.56 Nm (5 inch lbs.).
   
8. If rotating torque is low, tighten pinion nut in 6.8 Nm (5 ft. lbs.) increments until rotating torque is achieved.
   
   CAUTION If maximum tightening torque is reached prior to reaching the required rotating torque, the collapsible spacer may have been damaged. Replace the collapsible spacer.
   
9. Install propeller shaft with reference marks aligned.
   
10. Install half shafts.