Rear Axle - Disassemble

Tools Required 

• J 22813-01  Axle Bearing Remover and Installer (7.6 inch Axle)
• J 2619-01  Slide Hammer
• J 23689  Axle Shaft Seal and Bearing Remover
• J 8614-01  Flange/Pulley Holding Tool
• J 22536  Pinion Driver

1. Remove the rear axle fill plug.
   Fig 1: Removing Rear Axle Fill Plug

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
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.
   Fig 2: Removing Rear Axle Drain Plug

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
5. Remove the rear axle housing cover bolts (1).
6. Remove the rear axle housing cover (2) from the axle housing.
   Fig 3: Removing Rear Axle Housing Cover And Bolts From Axle Housing

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
7. 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 carrier bearings
   • The axle bearings
   • The axle seals
     Fig 4: Measuring Amount Of Torque Required To Rotate Pinion

     Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
8. Draw an alignment mark between the pinion stem and the pinion flange/yoke.
   Fig 5: Alignment Mark Between Pinion Stem And Pinion Flange/Yoke

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
9. Install the J 8614-01  as shown.
10. Remove the pinion nut while holding the J 8614-01  .
11. Remove the washer.
    Fig 6: Removing Pinion Nut While Holding J 8614-01

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
12. Install the J 8614-2 (2) and the J 8614-3 (3) into the J 8614-01  (1) as shown.
13. Remove the pinion yoke by turning the J 8614-3 (3) clockwise while holding the J 8614-01  (1).
    Fig 7: Installing J 8614-2 And J 8614-3 Into J 8614-01

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
14. Remove the pinion shaft locking bolt.
    Fig 8: Removing Pinion Shaft Locking Bolt

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
15. On axles without a locking differential, remove the pinion shaft.
    Fig 9: Removing Pinion Shaft (Axles Without Locking Differential)

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
16. On axles with a locking differential, remove the shaft part way. Rotate the case until the pinion shaft touches the housing.
    Fig 10: Removing Shaft Part Way (Axles With Locking Differential)

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
17. On axles with a locking differential, use a screwdriver, or a similar tool, in order to enter the differential case and rotate the lock (1) until the lock aligns with the thrust block (2).
    Fig 11: Rotating Lock Until Lock Aligns With Thrust Block

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
18. Push the flange of the axle shaft toward the differential.
19. Remove the lock from the button end of the axle shaft.
20. Remove the axle shaft from the housing.
    Fig 12: Removing Lock From Button End Of Axle Shaft

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
21. For axles with drum brakes, remove the axle shaft seal and the bearing from the axle housing using the J 22813-01  (7.6 inch axle) or the J 23689  (8.6 inch axle) (1) and the J 2619-O1  (2).
    Fig 13: Removing Axle Shaft Seal And Bearing From Axle Housing (Axles With Drum Brakes)

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
22. For axles with disc brakes, remove the axle shaft seal and the bearing from the axle housing using the J 22813-01  (7.6 inch axle) or the J 23689  (8.6 inch axle) (1) and the J 2619-01  (2).
    Fig 14: Removing Axle Shaft Seal And Bearing From Axle Housing (Axles With Disc Brakes)

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
23. Remove the bearing caps and bolts. Mark the bearing caps left and right.
    Fig 15: Removing Bearing Caps And Bolts

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    NOTE: When removing the differential case from the axle housing, do not damage the cover gasket surface. If the cover gasket surface is damaged, lubricant may leak from the axle and cause premature failure of the axle assembly.
24. Remove the differential by prying the differential from the axle housing at the differential window.
25. Remove the bearing cups, the shims, and the spacers as necessary.

    Mark the cups and shims left and right and in the proper order as necessary. Place the cups and the shims with the bearing caps.

    Fig 16: Prying Differential From Axle Housing At Differential Window

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
26. Install the J 22536  as shown.

    Ensure that the or the is firmly seated on the pinion.

27. Drive the pinion out using the J 22536  and a hammer.

    Strike the J 22536  slowly. Do not let the pinion fall out of the rear axle housing.

28. Remove the pinion oil seal. Use a suitable seal removal tool. Do not damage the housing.
    Fig 17: Installing J 22536

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
29. Remove the collapsible spacer from the pinion.

    Discard the spacer.

30. 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.
    Fig 18: Removing Collapsible Spacer From Pinion

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.