Removal Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 GMC Sonoma, 2003 GMC Jimmy, 2003 Chevrolet S10 Pickup, and 2003 Chevrolet Blazer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Fig 1: Removing Remaining 2 Inner Axle Shaft Housing To Differential Carrier Assembly Bolts

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Raise the vehicle. Refer to JACKING AND LIFTING in General Information.
Remove the right side wheel drive shaft.
Disconnect the clutch cable from the clutch fork. Refer to CLUTCH CABLE REPLACEMENT - FRONT DRIVE AXLE .
Remove the bolts, the nuts, and the washers from the inner axle shaft housing.
Remove the remaining 2 inner axle shaft housing to differential carrier assembly bolts.
Important: Do not allow the following components to fall out of the differential carrier assembly or become damaged:
- The thrust washers
- The clutch fork sleeve
- The clutch fork inner axle shaft
Remove the inner axle shaft and housing assembly by working the shaft and housing around the drive axle.
Remove the following components from the inner axle shaft housing:
1. 7.1. The clutch cable retainer spring
2. 7.2. The clutch fork assembly
3. 7.3. The clutch fork inner spring
4. 7.4. The clutch fork sleeve
5. 7.5. The thrust washer
6. 7.6. The clutch gear by doing the following:
  1. 7.6.1. Clamp the inner shaft housing in a vise.
    Clamp only on the mounting flange.
  2. 7.6.2. Strike the inside surface of the axle shaft with a hammer and a brass drift in order to dislodge the clutch gear from the inner axle shaft.
  3. 7.6.3. Remove the clutch gear.
Remove the thrust washer.
Remove the inner axle shaft.
Remove the clutch fork seal.
Use a punch to drive out the seal.
Remove the inner axle seal and the bearing from the inner axle shaft housing. Refer to INNER AXLE SEAL AND/OR BEARING REPLACEMENT - FRONT DRIVE AXLE .

Fig 2: Installing New Clutch Fork Seal
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.