Rear Axle Shaft and Wheel Bearing

REAR AXLE SHAFT AND WHEEL BEARING

TOOLS REQUIRED:
^ J 37781 Axle Shaft Remover J 2619-01 Slide Hammer

REMOVE OR DISCONNECT
^ Raise and suitably support vehicle.

1. Wheels.
2. Rear brake drums.






^ Drain gear oil from rear axle housing.






3. Rear wheel bearing retainer nuts from axle housing.






4. Axle shaft using a J 37781 axle shaft remover with a J 2619-01 slide hammer.

IMPORTANT: Do not remove brake back plate with axle shaft as this may cause inner seal damage.






MEASURE
^ Rear axle shaft length:
a. LH axle shaft must be 679.5 mm (26.8 in.).
b. RH axle shaft must be 722.5 mm (28A in.).






5. Retainer ring from the axle shaft using a grinder to flatten two parts of the bearing retainer ring.

IMPORTANT: Do not grind into the axle shaft.






6. Retainer ring with a metal chisel and a hammer.
7. Wheel bearing from axle shaft with a press.
8. Wheel bearing retainer oil seal.

INSTALL OR CONNECT

TOOL REQUIRED:
^ J 37771 Oil Seal Installer

1. Wheel bearing oil seal using a J 37771 oil seal installer.






IMPORTANT: Before installing wheel bearing retainer oil seal, apply GM #1051344 lubricant to the inner surface of the oil seal.






2. Wheel bearing retainer to the axle shaft.
3. Wheel bearing and retainer ring.
^ Apply GM #1051344 lubricant to the axle shaft inner oil seal lip.
^ Apply GM #1052366 sealant to mating surface of the bearing retainer and the brake back plate.
4. Rear axle shaft to ?ear axle housing.

TIGHTEN
^ Wheel bearing retaining nuts to 23 Nm (17 lb.ft.).

^ Refill rear axle housing with GM #1652271 axle lubricant.

5. Brake drums.
6. Wheels.
^ Lower vehicle.