I need the torque specs on a rear axle pinion nut for a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 4/4 Cummins, Automatic.

The same book that I hope you used in setting the ring and pinion backlash will give you the ( Rolling Torque). Once the pinion nut is set, a new crush sleeve will be required to correct. This axel will not go around the block if back lash is not correct.

Tighten the spindle nut to 149 ft-lbs to seat the bearing then
. rotate the axle 5 to 10 times to seat the hub bearing, then
tighten the spindle nut to a final torque of 263 ft-lbs I would just use a good impact gun to get it there.

you need to know what rear end you have if it's a 8.25, 8.37, or 9.25 the pinion nut torque is a minimum of 210 ft. lbs.


if you have the Dana model 44 190-290 ft. lbs.

if you have a Dana model 60 215-315 ft. lbs.

HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY NUTS TORQUE TO 125 FT LBS THE HALF SHAFT AXLE TORQUE TO 185 FT LBS.

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There is no torque specs,this nut has to be tightened back like it was ,the best thing to do,was,to late now,is to use a torque wrench to remove the nut,and remember the torque,and when replacing it,torque it back to that spec,the reason being,there is a crush sleeve between the front pion bearing ,and the rear pinion bearing,and it has to be crushed to a certain amount,to aquire deepness into the ring gear,anyway just give it about 25 lbs torque,any more the crush sleeve will crush even more and the deepness of the pinion will be too much.

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.

185 ft.lbs

Axle Preload and Backlash Specifications 8.0 Axle Preload and Backlash Specifications Application
Specification
Metric
English
Backlash
0.08-0.25 mm
0.003-0.010 in
Backlash (Preferred)
0.13-0.18 mm
0.005-0.007 in
Pinion Bearing Preload, New Bearings
1.7-3.4 N·m
15-30 lb in
Pinion Bearing Preload, Used Bearings
1.1-2.3 N·m
10-20 lb in
Pinion and Differential Case Bearing Preload, New Bearings
3.4-6.2 N·m
30-55 lb in
Pinion and Differential Case Bearing Preload, Used Bearings
2.8-5.1 N·m
25-45 lb in

Differential bearing caps 70-85 ft lb
Ring gear bolts 70-85 ft lb
Pinion bearing preload if using original bearings 8-14 lb-in, if installing new bearings 16-28 lb-in