02 Silverado 5.3L pinion seal-marking pen

[Gito]

2002 Silverado 5.3L, LT, 2wd

Going to be replace the pinion seal on my Silverado.

Need a recommendation on which type of marking pen is best to use on metal.
Want to use the pen to mark the nut and everything else that holds the pinion seal in place so that I can reinstall everything back to how it was before removing.

I thought about using a new nut and washer but I feel that I might end up complicating things and the outcome might be a vibrating and out of balanced drive shaft.

Please advise

 

[BigD1]

I have been using a Brite-Mark by Dykem part number 84004 yellow color and medium tip for a couple years now, and it's an excellent metal marker. Just shake the ball inside of it every now and then.

https://www.amazon.com/BRITE-MARK-M...amp;refRID=S4FGHFKS87P8QCCM7D9B&th=1

 

[Lyman]

Yes, The Dykem paint pens work great. You can find them at almost any welding supply store. I have been using them for the last 20 years.

 

[atikovi]

Just nick it with a Dremal and tool of your choice like a cutoff wheel.

 

[The_Eric]

Any marker will work, as long as it's not placed in such a manner that the nut or socket can remove it. I typically mark them and take a reference measurement from the end of the exposed pinion shaft to the edge of the nut as well to help verify that it is in fact reinstalled correctly.

 

[Anduril]

I marked mine with some leftover yellow Rustoleum applied with a popsicle stick.

 

[Gito]

Question

Is it recommended to use some sort of sealant (grey) on the outside of the pinion seal?

Or do I carefully clean the surface and install dry making sure that the inside part of the seal is lubed?



Any advice is greatly appreciated