torquing pinion nut
 

I'm in the process of putting my changing my rear end to 3.6 gears. I'm at the point of torquing the pinion nut and setting the preload. Trouble is the pinion spins while attempting to get the proper torque.

Question is, what do ya'll use to hold the pinion from spinning while torquing that nut?

I would assume the parking brake would do it. No idea with it out of the car though.

yeah it is definitely out of the car and yeah parking brake would be great if it was an option.

Unsurprisingly, the manual suggests the use of a special service tool to hold the flange while torquing:

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...aa6dabf450.png

You could easily make something equivalent with some steel bar stock. Same idea as a crankshaft locking tool for installing the center crank bolt.

and if i had that differential holding fixture too.

Use a pair of C-clamps and some blocks of wood to clamp the diff to your workbench. If you have a workbench you don't mind drilling into, use lag screws instead of clamps.

anyone have any experience with something like this?

Do you have new shims for your swap? I'm doing the swap as well and need new shims. Where did you get yours if you did?

I used the same shim, i'll find out if it didn't work when i get everything set up.

I see. My college is doing the work and the instructor said I need them (they haven't torn it apart yet) and my Mazda dealer no longer sells them. And no one else sells them. Every kit I found excludes shims...

Do you have any leftover parts? Mine had a lot of extra leftover parts when I was done. Same with my dishwasher.

just old bearings and ring and pinion.

I've recieve a tool for tightening the locknut. Torqued it till the preload was 10 in lb. Ended up being 190 ft lbs. Removed the nut and flange. Installed the oil seal and reinstalled everything to the 190 fl lbs. Now the pinion wont spin by hand. Even at the lowest torque for the pinion nut (97 ft lbs) it take 40 in lbs to turn the pinion.

You get the shims from mazdamotorsports. You won't know what size you need until you get it apart. There's a whole bunch of different bearings and parts you should get when you're doing it. A call with MMS is very helpful, the guys there are super nice. I swapped my own gears and I wish I hadn't, it's a much more specialized and involved job than most realize, including me at the time.

My recommendation is taking it to a shop to finish the job.