Axle Shaft Assembly: Service and Repair
Rear Axle Shaft And BearingFigure 5:
Figure 6:
Figure 7:
Figure 8:
Figure 9:
Figure 10:
Figure 11:
Figure 12:
Figure 13:
Figure 14:
Figure 15:
Figure 16:
Figure 17:
Remove or Disconnect
Tools Required:
J 37791 Rear Axle shaft and Brake Drum Remover.
J 2619-01 Slide Hammer
J 22912-01 Rear Bearing Remover
- Raise and suitably support vehicle.
- Place a drain pan or suitable container under rear axle housing.
1. Rear axle housing oil level/filler plug from rear axle housing (Figure 5).
2. Rear axle housing drain plug from rear axle housing and drain rear axle housing (Figure 5).
3. Rear tire and wheel assembly.
4. Rear brake drum from rear axle.
5. Rear antilock brake shoe return spring from both rear brake shoes (Figure 6).
6. Four rear axle shaft retaining nuts from rear axle shaft bearing retainer studs behind brake backing plate (Figure 7).
Important: DO NOT remove the brake backing plate with the rear axle shaft. If this precaution is not observed, inner seal damage may reslut.
7. Rear axle shaft and bearing from rear axle housing using J 37791 with a J 2619-01 (Figure 8).
Important: Right and left rear axle shafts are different lengths. The right rear axle shaft is 722.5 mm (28.4 inches) in length. The left rear axle shaft is 679.5 mm (26.8 inches) in length. When removing both axle shafts, make sure they are installed in their respective sides of the rear axle housing.
Measure
- Rear axle shaft length. Length should be measured from the differential end of the shaft to the outside edge of the axle shaft flange (Figure 9).
- Using a hand grinder, flatten two opposite sides of the rear axle shaft bearing retainer ring (Figure 10).
Notice: Use caution not to grind on the axle shaft itself. If the axle shaft is damaged by grinding, the shaft may become weak or unbalanced causing vibration, bearing or seal failure.
8. Rear axle shaft bearing retainer ring on axle shaft using a hammer and cold chisel (Figure 11).
9. Rear axle shaft bearing from rear axle shaft using a J 22912-01 and a hydraulic press. Place the J 22912-01 on the rear axle shaft between the rear axle shaft bearing and the rear axle shaft bearing retainer. Then place the rear axle shaft in a hydraulic press and slowly press the rear axle shaft bearing off the rear axle shaft (Figure 12).
10. Rear axle shaft bearing retainer from rear axle shaft.
11. Rear axle shaft outer oil seal from the rear axle shaft bearing retainer (Figure 13).
Inspect
1. Rear axle shaft bearing for brinelling or roughness. Replace as necessary.
2. Rear axle shaft for flat spots or blue discoloration indicating overheating. Replace as necessary.
Install or Connect
Tools Required:
J 37771 Rear Axle Bearing Retainer Seal Installer
J 22912-01 Rear Bearing Remover
- Apply wheel bearing lubricant GM P/N 1051344, or equivalent, to the inner surface of the new rear axle shaft outer oil seal.
1. Rear axle shaft outer oil seal into the rear axle shaft bearing retainer using a J 37771 (Figure 14).
2. Rear axle shaft bearing retainer onto the rear axle shaft.
3. Rear axle shaft bearing onto the rear axle shaft using the J 22312-01 and hydraulic press. With the concave side facing away from the rear axle shaft bearing, place the J 22912-01 on the rear axle shaft below the rear axle what bearing. Then place the rear axle shaft in a hydraulic press and slowly press the rear axle shaft bearing to its original position behind the rear axle shaft bearing retainer (Figure 15).
4. Rear axle shaft bearing retainer ring onto the rear axle shaft using J 22912-01 and a hydraulic press. With the concave side facing away from the rear axle shaft bearing retainer ring, place the J 22912-01 on the rear axle shaft below the rear axle shaft bearing retainer ring. Then place the rear axle shaft in a hydraulic press and slowly press the rear axle shaft bearing retainer ring past the shaft taper to its original position behind the rear axle shaft bearing (Figure 16).
Inspect
- Rear axle shaft inner oil seal for cuts or other damage. Replace as necessary.
- Apply wheel bearing lubricant GM P/N 1051344, or equivalent, to the rear axle inner oil seal lip in the rear axle housing.
- Apply wheel bearing lubricant GM P/N 1051344, or equivalent, to the rear axle shaft bearing retainer ring mating surface on the brake backing plate.
5. Rear axle shaft and bearing into the rear axle housing making sure the rear axle shaft bearing is firmly seated into the rear axle housing (Figure 17).
6. Four rear axle shaft retaining nuts to rear axle shaft retainer studs behind brake backing plate (Figure 17). Tighten the rear axle shaft retaining nuts to 23 Nm (17 lb ft).
7. Rear antilock brake shoe return spring to both rear brake shoes (Figure 6).
8. Rear brake drum to rear axle.
9. Rear tire and wheel assembly. Apply Loctite pipe sealant GM P/N 1052080, or equivalent, to the threaded portion of the rear axle housing (Figure 5). Tighten the rear axle housing drain plug to 25 Nm (18 lb ft). Refill the rear axle housing with approximately 2.2 liters (4.6 pints) of synthetic 75W-90 GL4 lubricant GM P/N 12345871, or equivalent. Oil level should be even with the bottom of the rear axle housing oil level/filler plug into rear axle (Figure 5). Tighten the rear axle housing oil level/filler plug to 50 Nm (37 lb ft). Remove the drain pan from under rear axle housing. Lower vehicle.