Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Axle Disassembly

Fig. 1 Differential Case Assembly Removal.:





Axle can be disassembled either in or out of vehicle. If axle is disassembled in vehicle, it may be necessary to remove spare tire and/or disconnect shock absorbers to provide clearance for differential case removal. If axle assembly is allowed to hang, care must be taken not to damage or stretch flexible brake hose between axle and frame mounted lines.
1. Remove axles as outlined in service section.
2. Loosen rear cover bolts, break cover loose at bottom and drain lubricant, then remove cover and gasket.
3. Mount suitable dial indicator on bearing cap, and measure and record ring gear and pinion backlash.
4. Note installation position and markings on carrier side bearing caps and remove bearing caps.
5. Pry differential case assembly from axle housing, taking care not to mar machined surfaces, and remove carrier along with side bearing outer races and shims, Fig. 1.
6. Place left and right bearing races and shims with respective bearing caps.
7. Check drive pinion preload using suitable torque wrench and record reading.
8. Hold driveshaft yoke with suitable tool and remove pinion nut and washer.
9. Remove driveshaft yoke with suitable puller.
10. Thread pinion nut half-way onto pinion, temporarily install rear cover, then tap pinion from bearings using large hammer and soft drift.
11. Remove pinion seal and front pinion bearing from housing.
12. Remove rear cover, then the drive pinion and rear bearing assembly from housing.
13. Discard collapsible preload spacer, press rear bearing from pinion, then remove depth adjusting shim and retain for assembly adjustment.
14. Remove pinion bearing races from housing using suitable drift, and place races with respective bearings.
15. Inspect components as outlined in ``Cleaning and Inspection.''