QU11098 Aftermarket Crush Sleeve (Pinion Preload Spacer)

QU11098 Aftermarket Crush Sleeve (Pinion Preload Spacer) for American Axle 11-1/2" Rear Axles is the aftermarket standard for all 2001-up AAM 11-1/2" ring gear rear axles.The Crush Sleeve, which is also known as the Collapsible Pinion Spacer, controls the pinion bearing preload you set when you properly tighten the pinion nut.

This is a use once and discard part, NEVER reuse a Crush Sleeve!

Also see QU10867 aftermarket replacement Crush Sleeve

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Dan the Gear Man® Tech Notes:
Installation
Matching Parts
Applications

Tech Note 1: Installation
The initial overall length of this spacer is greater than the normal separation distance between the outer pinion bearing and pinion shoulder. As you tighten your pinion nut against the yoke, you will push the outer bearing against this Spacer. At that point the nut will seem tight but your pinion will still be loose. You now must increase the torque applied to the nut by a substantial margin to initiate the compression of the spacer. Once it starts to compress, the required torque needed to continue tightening the nut will still be high, but reduced from the amount needed to start compression. As the Spacer collapses, your pinion end play will gradually disappear. When all end-play is gone, you have to be very careful as it will only take a small movement of the nut to go from too loose to too tight. If you over tighten the nut, you MUST get a new spacer and start over!!! Never back off the nut to try and reduce the rotating preload of the pinion!!!!

Tech Note 2: Matching Parts
Matching Parts for QU10867 Pinion Crush Sleeve:
QU10868 Pinion Seal for Dodge AAM 1050 and 1150 Rear Axles
QU10877 Pinion Nut
QU10876 Pinion Washer

Applications

Chevy and GMC:
2500, 3500 with AAM 11-1/2" Ring Gear Rear Axle: 2001-up

Dodge, Ram, and Sterling:
Ram 2500 with AAM 1050 or AAM 1150 Leaf Spring Rear Axles: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Ram 3500 All: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Ram 3500 DRW with AAM 1180 11.8" Leaf Spring Rear Axle: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018