11.5 Inch Axle

Rear Axle - Disassemble (11.5 Inch Axle)

^ Tools Required
- J 2222-C Wheel Bearing Nut Wrench
- J 8614-01 Flange/Pulley Holding Tool
- J 24429 Side Bearing Backlash Spanner
- J 44421 Pinion Remover





1. Remove the rear axle fill plug and the seal.





2. Remove the rear axle drain plug.
3. Drain the lubricant into a suitable container.
4. Inspect the drain plug for excessive metal particle accumulation. This accumulation is symptomatic of extreme wear.





5. Remove the axle flange bolts.
6. Lightly tap the axle shaft with a soft-faced hammer in order to loosen the shaft.
7. Grip the rib on the axle shaft flange with a locking pliers.
Twist the axle shaft flange in order to start the axle shaft removal.
8. Remove the axle shaft from the axle housing.
9. Remove the gasket.
10. Clean the axle shaft flange and the outside face of the hub assembly.





11. Remove the rear axle housing cover bolts.
12. Remove the rear axle housing cover from the axle housing.




13. Measure the amount of. torque required to rotate the pinion. Use an inch-pound torque wrench. Record this measurement for reassembly. This will give the combined preload for the following components:
^ The pinion bearings
^ The pinion seal
^ The differential case bearings
14. Draw 2 arrows pointing at each other, one on the pinion stem, the other on the pinion yoke.
15. Record the number of exposed threads on the pinion stem for reference.





16. Install the J 8614-01 as shown.
17. Remove the pinion nut while holding the J 8614-01.
18. Remove the washer.





19. Install the J 8614-2 (2) and the J 8614-3 (3) into the J 8614-01 (1) as shown.
20. Remove the pinion yoke by turning the J 8614-3 (3) clockwise while holding the J 8614-01 (1).





21. Remove the axle nut retaining ring.





22. Remove the key.





23. Remove the adjusting nut using the J2222-C.





24. Remove the adjusting nut.





25. Remove the hub from the axle housing.
26. Remove the oil seal from the wheel hub.





27. Remove the differential bearing adjuster nut lock bolt.
28. Remove the differential bearing adjuster nut lock.





29. Remove the bearing caps and bolts. Mark the bearing caps left and right.
30. Loosen the differential bearing adjuster using the J 24429.
31. Remove the differential case.
32. Remove the bearing cups and the spacers as necessary.
Mark the bearing cups and spacers left and right and in the proper order as necessary. Place the cups and the spacers with the bearing caps.





33. Install the J 44421 as shown.
Make sure the J 44421 is firmly seated on the pinion.
34. Drive the pinion out using the J 44421 and a hammer.
Strike the J 44421 slowly. Do not let the pinion fall out of the rear axle housing.





35. Remove the pinion oil seal. Use a suitable seal removal tool. Do not damage the housing.
36. Remove the collapsible spacer from the pinion.
Discard the spacer.
37. Remove the drive pinion bearing cups from the axle housing using a hammer and a brass drift in the slots provided. Move the drift back and forth between one side of the cup and the other in order to work the cups out of the housing evenly.