• You will need many tools for carrier and pinion bearing installation.tools image by AGITA LEIMANE from Fotolia.com
  
  The installation of carrier and pinion bearings requires some specialized tools in addition to many of the common tools which you will already have in your shop or garage. In order to ensure that you do the job correctly, you will also need to remove the old or worn parts with the proper tools and clean all of the new parts before installing them.
  
  

Repair Manual

• A repair manual is among the most important tools you will need for this job. Purchase a detailed repair manual that is specific to your vehicle's year, make and model. Two popular brands of repair manuals are those produced by Chilton and Haynes.
  
  

Crush Sleeve

• A crush sleeve is a piece of pipe that holds your pinion bearings apart during the installation. A secondary function of the crush sleeve is to provide some resistance for the pinion nut. When you tighten the pinion down, the crush sleeve is crushed until the proper pre-load adjustment is achieved. In order to find the proper pre-load adjustment settings, consult your repair manual.
  
  

Wrenches and Sockets

• A half-inch impact wrench will remove many pinion nuts. Some discontinued, imported or unusual makes of automobile may require specialized sockets to fit their pinion nuts. You may also require a carrier cap bolt socket. Before you begin, consult your repair manual to determine whether or not you will need to purchase any specialized sockets. While removing the nuts, brace the yoke so that it can't move.
  
  

Gear and Bearing Removal

• You can knock the pinion gear out with a brass punch. A bearing puller will be necessary to remove carrier bearings, but you should be able to press pinion bearings off with your hands.
  
  

Carrier Cap Tools

• Use a simple pry bar to remove the carrier case. The same punch that removed the pinion gear can mark the carrier caps when you remove them. Use it to make identifying marks in the carrier caps. This will ensure that you replace them on the same side and in the same direction as they were when you removed them.
  
  

Cleaning Tools

• Be sure to clean all of your parts. Both new parts and those you are reusing must be free from dust and debris in order to prolong their lifespan. Use a solvent to clean all accessible surfaces on your parts. To clean interior parts and hard-to-reach areas, use a can of compressed air to blow debris away.