D3B pinion removal question.

[Digwizz]

Anybody know which hoops you have to jump through to get the nut off the pinion gear shaft on a D3B? Any help would be greatly appreciated. The shop manual says, "remove the pinion", seems as though they left out a huge part of the story.
Pretty sure there are a bunch of you guys that know the answer.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Digwizz]

Guess I should have said I'm speaking of the final drive pinion and not the one that matches up with the bevel gear.

 

[Nige]

Do you mean the big locknut that retains the track drive sprocket...? The one under the cover on the outside of the tractor. If not can you post a photo of what you're struggling with.

 

[Digwizz]

I wish that were the case. The pinion shaft sticks through the main case and I can't even see the nut because the steer clutch and brake drum are in the way. I was hoping it would be possible to take it off without pulling the steering clutch out. But, it doesn't look promising right now. A picture would only show you the top of the steering clutch.

 

[lantraxco]

I am not familiar with the D3B but I think you answered your own question. On the bigger CATs I worked on you had to remove the steering clutch/brake assembly, remove the nut and press off the flange before removing the pinion shaft.