Chevrolet 1973 Overhaul Manual page 87

4 -5 6 REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER
DIFFERENTIAL CASE
Removal
1. Place vehicle on hoist with rear axle hanging free.
2. Remove wheel and tire assemblies.
3. The axle shafts are full-floating type with flanged
outer end of shaft attached to wheel hub by studs
and nuts. Wheel is supported by tapered roller
bearings at outer end of axle housing.
a. Remove axle shaft to hub attaching nuts.
b. Rap on axle shaft to loosen shaft from hub and
remove shafts.
4. Remove plug in carrier and drain lubricant.
5. Remove cap screws and lock washers attaching
cover to carrier. Remove cover and gasket.
6. Mark one side of carrier and matching cap for
reassembly in the same position. Remove bearing
caps.
7. Using spreader tool J-24385, and a dial indicator as
shown in figure 2F, spread carrier a maximum of
.015 inch.
Do not exceed this dimension, as
CAUTION:
carrier may be permanently damaged.
8. Remove the dial indicator and use a prybar to
remove the differential case fom the carrier. Record
the dimensions and location of the side bearing
shims. Remove the spreader tool.
Disassembly
1. Remove differential side bearings by placing
J-22912 under bearings and supporting plates on a
press bed. Apply force to pilot plug J-8107-3 to
drive the case from the bearing.
NOTE: Use care not to damage case hubs
with tool J-22912.
2. Remove the ring gear bolts and the ring gear. Tap
Fig. 2F—Spreading the C arrier
the ring gear with a soft-faced hammer to free it
from the case.
3. Scribe both case halves for reassembly in same
position.
4. Remove bolts holding case halves together, as
shown in figure 3F.
5. Tap lightly on top half of case to free it from the
bottom half. Remove top half of case.
6. Lift out all internal parts.
Inspection
1. Clean all gears and bearings in solvent. Inspect
cups, races and rollers for scoring, chipping or
evidence of excessive wear.
2. Inspect ring gear teeth and machined surfaces.
Examine fit of internal gears.
3. Inspect pinion cross-shaft.
4. Replace parts as required.
Fig. 3F—Separating Case Halves
Fig. 4F—Inte rn a l Parts Inspection
OVERHAUL MANUAL