Checking The Axle Before Disassembly; Disassembly Of The Rear Axle - GMC T Series 1994 Repair Manual

SUBJECT
Spacer and Shim Specifications.......................................................................................................................... 4B1-14
Lubrication...................................................................................................................................................................4B1-14
Special T o o ls ..................................................................................................................................................................4B1-15
The corporate 7 1/2 and 7 5/8-inch ring gear rear axle
uses a conventional ring and pinion gear set to transmit
the driving force of the engine to the rear wheels. The
gear set transfers the driving force at a 90 degree angle
from the propeller shaft to the axle shafts.
This axle is semi-floating. The axle shafts are sup­
ported at the wheel end of the shaft by a roller bearing
pressed into the housing. The shafts are retained into
the housing by "C" lock clips in the differential. The
pinion gear is supported by two tapered roller bearings.
The pinion depth is set by a shim pack located between
the gear end of the pinion and the roller bearing
pressed on the pinion. The pinion bearing preload is set
by crushing a collapsible spacer between the bearings
in the axle housing.
The ring gear is secured to the differential case with
10 left-hand threaded bolts.
The differential case is supported by two tapered roll­
er bearings. The differential and ring gear are located in
relationship to the pinion using selective shims and two
spacers between the bearings and the axle housing. To
move the ring gear, shims are removed from one side
and an equal amount added to the other. These shims
are also used to preload the bearings pressed on the
differential case. Two bearing caps hold the differential
in the axle housing.
The differential allows the wheels to turn at different
rates of speed while the axle continues to transmit the
driving force. This prevents tire scuffing during turns
and premature wear on internal axle parts.
The axle is sealed by a pinion seal, a seal at each
axle shaft end, and a gasket between the cover and
axle housing.
All corporate rear axles are identified by an alphabetic
broadcast code on the right axle tube as shown in fig­
ure 1. The axle housing cover does not have a drain
plug.
CHECKING THE AXLE
BEFORE DISASSEMBLY
Inspect
1. Remove the axle cover and drain the lubricant.
2. The ring gear backlash. Refer to "Backlash Adjust­
ments." This information can be used to determine
the cause of the problem. It will also help when
setting up the shim packs
ing the differential case.
CONTENTS (cont'd)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
locating and preload­
for
3. The case for metal chips and shavings. Determine
where these chips and shavings came from, such
as a broken gear or bearing cage.
4. Determine the cause of the axle problem before
disassembly if possible.
DISASSEMBLY OF THE
REAR AXLE
Remove or Disconnect (Figures 2 through 11)
Tools Required:
J 2619-01 Slide Hammer
J 22813-01 Axle Bearing Puller
J 8107-2 Differential Side Bearing Remover
Plug
J 22888 Side Bearing Remover
J 8614-01 Pinion Flange Holder
J 8614-02 Pinion Flange Remover
J 25320 Rear Pinion Bearing Remover
• Place the axle in a suitable support.
1. Cover bolts and cover.
• Drain the axle lubricant.
2. Pinion shaft lock bolt (figure 3).
3. Pinion shaft.
• Push the axle shaft in towards the center of the
differential case.
4. The "C" lock from the end of the axle shaft.
5. Axle shaft from the axle housing.
6. Oil seal using an oil seal removal tool.
• Be careful not to damage the housing.
A. Axle Code
B.
Axle Assembly Build Source Code
(C) Chev.-Buffalo
(K) GM of Canada
C.
Day Built
D.
Shift (D = Day, N = Night)
PAGE
B8110