Axle Assembly; Removal; Installation - Chevrolet 10 Series 1968 Service Manual

REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE LINE 4-44
The Eaton 18,500 and 23,000 lb. Single-Speed Spiral
Bevel Drive Axles are optionally available on regular
production 60 Series trucks.
Models 17121 and 17101 (18,500 lb.) use identical dif­
ferential head assemblies, the only difference being the
size of the ring and pinion gear (fig. 88).
Detail design and construction of Model 19101 (23,000
lb.) axle is similar to that of Model 17121 and 17101
see Figure 88 except that many components are in­
creased in size to obtain a greater capacity rating.
Service operations are the same on 18,500 and 23,000
lb. axles. Refer to the Specifications Section of this
Manual for bolt torque and general axle information
pertaining to the different models.
DRIVE PINION AND CAGE
Both axles are equipped with a straddle mounted drive
pinion. Pinion bearings are of the opposed tapered roller
bearing type, and are a press fit on the drive pinion shaft.
A straight roller type pilot bearing is pressed onto the
inner end of the drive pinion and seats in a machined bore
in the differential carrier.
Drive pinion bearing preload adjustment is controlled
by thickness of the bearing spacer installed between the
two tapered roller bearings.
Shims between the pinion cage and carrier provide a
means for adjusting pinion depth in the carrier to attain
correct tooth contact between the ring gear and pinion.
DIFFERENTIAL
The differential carrier assembly may be removed,
Maintenance and adjustments for the Eaton single-
speed axle are performed the same as those outlined for

Axle Assembly

Service operations on the axle may be performed with­
out removing the complete axle assembly from the vehi­
cle. There may be occasions, however, when it will be
necessary to remove the complete assembly as a result
of collision or other damage resulting in distortion of the
axle housing. The following axle assembly removal,
is to be used only when replacement of axle housing is
necessary.

Removal

1. Loosen the rear wheel stud nuts, then raise the rear
of the vehicle enough to remove the load from the
rear springs. Support vehicle with stand jacks under
frame side rails.
2. Disconnect the hydraulic brake hose from the brake
pipe at the rear axle, or, if the truck is equipped with
air brakes, bleed the system, then disconnect the air
brake hose from the rear brake chambers.
3. Remove the two trunnion bearing
pinion flange and split the rear universal joint. Swing
MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS
COMPONENT PART REPLACEMENT
" "
U bolts from the
while the axle is still installed in the truck, after the axle
shafts have been removed.
The drive pinion assembly and the differential case
assembly are mounted in the differential carrier, and are
removed as part of the carrier when the carrier is re­
moved from the axle housing.
The differential is a conventional four pinion type with
ring gear bolted to flanged half of differential case. Dif­
ferential case is a two-piece type machined as a matched
assembly, and must be replaced as such.
Thrust washers are used between differential side
gears and case, and between differential pinions and case.
Adjusting rings in the differential bearing bores of the
carrier provide for adjustment of differential side bear­
ing pre-load and ring gear-drive pinion backlash.
AXLE SHAFTS AND HOUSING
Axle shafts are full-floating type, splined to differential
side gears at inner ends and attached at flanged outer
ends to hubs by studs and nuts. Stud holes in each shaft
flange are taper-reamed to accommodate split tapered
dowels.
The banjo-type axle housing is one-piece design with
spring seats welded in place. Brake flange plates are
riveted to flanges welded on the axle housing tube. Outer
ends of housing are machined to accommodate wheel
bearings and threads are cut at extreme outer ends for
installation of wheel bearing nuts. The axle housing bowl
cover is welded to the axle housing.
the Chevrolet single-speed axles. Refer to "R ear Axle
(Chevrolet) Single-Speed."
the propeller shaft to one side and tie it to the frame
side rail.
4. Remove the rear spring "11" bolts and roll the axle
assembly out from under the truck. Raise the axle
clear of the floor and remove the wheels.

Installation

1. Install the wheels, then roll the axle assembly into
position under the truck.
2. Attach axle to the rear springs with the
Tighten the " U " bolt nuts to 215 ft. lbs.
3. Connect propeller shaft to the axle, drawing
bolts up to torque specifications.
4. Connect the hydraulic brake hose to the brake pipe on
the rear axle, then bleed the brakes and check fluid
level in the master cylinder. If the truck is equipped
with air brakes, connect air lines to the rear brake
chambers.
5. Lower vehicle to floor and tighten rear wheel nuts.
6. Fill axle to proper level with lubricant.
" V "
bolts.
" U"
CHEVROLET TRUCK SERVICE MANUAL