Axle Shaft Assembly: Description and Operation

All parts necessary to transmit power from the propeller shaft to the rear axle shafts are enclosed in a differential carrier assembly. The rear axle has a hypoid type ring gear and pinion with the centerline of the pinion gear below the centerline of the ring gear. Two preloaded tapered roller bearings support the hypoid pinion gear in the carrier. The inner race of the rear pinion bearing is a tight press fit on the pinion stem. The inner race of the front bearing combines a light press fit to a close sliding fit on the pinion flange end of the pinion stem. The outer race of each bearing is pressed against a shoulder recessed in the carrier. Tightening the pinion nut compresses a collapsible spacer which bears against the inner race of the front bearing and a shoulder on the pinion stem. This spacer is used to enable automatic bearing preload adjustment and maintain a preload on both front and rear pinion bearings. Adjustment of the pinion is obtained by placing shims between the head of the drive pinion and the rear pinion bearing.
The rear axle differential case is of a one-piece construction and is supported in the carrier by two tapered roller bearings. These bearings are preloaded.