Differential Assembly: Description and Operation

Fig. 3 Rear axle assembly.:

BROUGHAM & DEVILLE
In this axle, Fig. 3, the rear axle housing and differential carrier are cast into an integral assembly. The drive pinion assembly is mounted in two opposed tapered roller bearings. The pinion bearings are preloaded by a collapsible spacer behind the front bearing. The pinion is positioned by a washer between the head of the pinion and the rear bearing.
The differential is supported in the carrier by two tapered roller side bearings. These bearings are preloaded by spacers located between the bearings and carrier housing. The differential assembly is positioned for proper ring gear and pinion backlash by varying these spacers. The differential case houses two side gears in mesh with two pinions mounted on a pinion shaft which is held in place by a lock pin. The side gears and pinions are backed by thrust washers.



Rear Axle, Replace
1. Raise vehicle and support rear axle and frame, then remove rear wheels and brake drums.
2. Disconnect emergency brake overtravel lever from link.
3. Remove shock absorbers from lower mount.
4. Place jack under front differential to relieve tension on lower control arm.
5. Remove upper and lower control arms as outlined under ``Control Arms and Bushings, Replace'' procedure in Rear Suspension Section.
6. Disconnect propeller shaft from axle flange and support with wire.
7. Remove brake hose at differential housing and plug. If axle is allowed to wind up as it is lowered, springs may snap from their seats and could cause injury or damage. Use extreme caution to prevent wind-up condition.
8. Lower axle shaft and remove springs from vehicle.
9. Reverse procedure to install.

Fig. 4 Removing differential. Brougham & DeVille:

Differential, Replace
1. Raise vehicle and support so axle can be raised and lowered.
2. Disconnect leveling control lever from link and hold lever down until shock absorbers are deflated.
3. Remove shock absorber lower mounting bolts and position shock aside.
4. Mark propeller shaft flange and pinion flange to ensure installation in original position. Remove attaching screws and position propeller shaft aside.
5. Remove stabilizer bar link nuts, retainer and bushings.
6. Remove nut from parking brake equalizer, then disconnect cables at connectors.
7. Remove clips securing brake tubing to axle, then lower axle slightly.
8. Position drain pan under axle, loosen rear cover bolts and allow axle to drain, then remove cover.
9. Remove wheel and brake drum.
10. Remove differential cross shaft through bolt, then the shaft. Push in on axle shafts, then remove ``C'' locks and pull axle shafts out about 1 inch.
11. Install cross shaft and bolt, then remove side bearing cap and bearing. Mark bearing caps to ensure installation in original position.
12. Remove one ring gear attaching bolt, position tools, Fig. 4, and pull differential case from housing until side shims can be removed, then remove differential. Mark shims to ensure installation in original position.
13. Reverse procedure to install.



Axle Shaft, Replace
1. Raise vehicle and remove wheel and brake drum.
2. Place drain pan under differential and remove cover.
3. Remove differential cross shaft.
4. Push axle shaft toward center of vehicle and remove ``C'' lock from butt end of axle shaft.
5. Remove axle shaft from housing.
6. Reverse procedure to install.

Fig. 5 Removing axle bearing. Brougham & Deville:

Fig. 6 Installing axle bearing. Brougham & Deville:

Bearing Replace
1. Remove axle shaft.
2. Position tool J-22813-01 or J-23689 on bearing, attach slide hammer J-2619, then remove bearing and seal, Fig. 5.
3. Lubricate bearing and seal with bearing lubricant.
4. Position bearing on tool J-23690 and drive bearing in until tool bottoms against tube, Fig. 6.
5. Using suitable tool, tap seal in until flush with axle tube.