Chevrolet Light Duty Truck 1973 Service Manual page 253

Permatex Type A or equivalent) prior to installing
washer and nut on pinion.
5. Using J-8614-11 as shown in figure 62, install flange
onto pinion. Install washer and nut, and tighten nut
to original position. Refer to scribe marks and
number of exposed threads, recorded earlier.
NOTE: Do not attempt to hammer the flange
onto pinion shaft. To do so may damage the
ring gear and pinion.
. Measure rotating torque of pinion and compare
6
with torque recorded before removal. Tighten
pinion nut in additional small increments until the
torque necessary to rotate the pinion exceeds the
original figure by to 5 inch pounds. Do not exceed
1
the original torque by more than 5 inch pounds.
7. Reattach propeller shaft and torque to specifica­
tions. Reinstall brake drums and wheels.
CAUTION:
See CAUTION on page 1 of t h i s
section regarding the fasteners referred t o i n
7.
step
. Lower vehicle and remove from hoist.
8
1 0 -1 /2 and 1 2 - 1 /4 RING GEAR
AXLES
AXLE ASSEMBLY
Service operations on these axle assemblies may be
performed with the housing installed in the vehicle or
with the housing installed in a holding fixture. There
may be occasions, however, when it will be necessary to
remove the complete housing assembly. The following
axle assembly removal and installation procedure,
therefore, is necessary only when housing replacement is
required.
CAUTION:
All axle attachments are important
attaching parts. See CA UTION on page I of
t h i s s e c t i o n .
Removal
1. Raise vehicle, place stand jacks under frame side
rails, and remove rear wheels.
2. Remove two trunnion bearing "U" bolts from the
Fig. 62—Installing Pinion Flange
REAR S U S PEN SIO N A ND DRIVELINE
rear yoke, split rear universal joint, position
propeller shaft to one side, and tie it to the frame
side rail.
NOTE: The bearings can be left on the
trunnion and held in place with tape.
3. Remove hub and drum assembly and disconnect
parking brake cable at lever and at flange plate. See
Section 5 for cable removal.
4. Disconnect hydraulic brake hose at connector on
rear axle housing. Refer to Section 5.
5. Disconnect shock absorbers at axle brackets.
. Support axle assembly with hydraulic jack, remove
6
spring "U " bolts, and lower axle assembly to the
floor.
Installation
1. Place axle assembly under vehicle, raise into
position, install spring "U " bolts, anchor plates and
nuts, and tighten securely.
2. Connect and secure shock absorbers to axle
brackets.
3. Connect brake hose at connector on rear axle
housing.
4. Install hub and drum assembly. Connect parking
brake cable at lever and flange plate. Bleed brake
hydraulic system and adjust parking brake.
5. Reassemble the rear universal joint, making sure
that "U " bolts are drawn up tight and locked
properly. Caution should be taken not to over­
tighten "U " bolt nuts and cause bearing cups to
become distorted.
. Install rear wheels, remove stand jacks, and lower
6
vehicle.
7. Test operation of brakes and rear axle.
AXLE VENT—12-1/4" RING GEAR AXLE
Replacement
Service replacement axle housing assemblies are not
equipped with an axle vent; therefore, always make sure
that a new vent assembly is installed when replacing the
housing. If axle vent requires replacement, pry old vent
from housing being sure that entire vent is removed.
Prick punch around carrier hole to insure fit of
replacement vent. Tap new vent into housing using a
soft-faced hammer. Vent should be positioned in housing
so that flat surface is toward centerline of differential
carrier. See figure 63.
AXLE S H A F T -10-1/2" AXLES
Replacement
1. Remove bolts and lock washers that attach the axle
shaft flange to the wheel hub. See figure 64.
2. Rap on flange with a soft-faced hammer to loosen
shaft. Grip the rib on end of flange with a pair of
4 -2 9
LIGHT DUTY TRUCK SERVICE MANUAL