GMC T Series 1994 Repair Manual page 230

The front axle used on K model vehicles has a center
disconnect feature that, under most conditions, allows
shifting into and out of four-wheel drive when the vehi­
cle is in motion. The axle is shifted by a thermal actua­
tor.
The axle uses a conventional ring and pinion gear set
to transmit the driving force of the engines to the
wheels. The pinion gear is supported by two tapered
roller bearings. The pinion depth is set by a shim locat­
ed between the gear end of the pinion and the roller
bearing that is pressed onto the pinion. The pinion
bearing preload is set by crushing a collapsible spacer
between the pinion bearings in the axle housing.
The ring gear is bolted onto the differential case with
left-hand thread bolts.
The differential is used to allow the wheels to turn at
different rates of speed while the front axle continues to
INSPECTIO N
Perform the following checks before disassembling
the axle.
1. Remove the drain plug from the axle and drain the
axle lubricant.
2. Check the ring gear backlash. Refer to "Adjusting
Backlash." This information can be used to deter­
mine the cause of the axle problem. It will also help
when setting up the shim packs for locating and
preloading the differential case.
3. Inspect the case for metal chips. Determine where
the metal chips came from, such as a broken gear
or bearing cage.
4. Determine the cause of the axle problem before
disassembly if possible.
DISASSEMBLY
Remove or Disconnect (Figures 1 through 19)
Tools Required:
J 29369-1 Bearing Remover (K1, 2 Models)
J 29369-2 Bearing Remover (K3 Models)
J 29307 Slide Hammer
J 34011 Pilot Bearing Remover
J 36599 Adjusting Sleeve Wrench
J 36615 Adjuster Plug Wrench (K3 Models)
J 8614-01 Pinion Remover
J 36598 Holding Fixture and Pinion Service Tool
J 8612-B Pinion Bearing Remover (K1, 2 Mod­
els)
J 36606 Pinion Bearing Remover (K3 Models)
J 22888 Side Bearing Puller
J 8107-2 Side Bearing Puller Pilot (K1, 2 Mod­
els)
J 36597 Side Bearing Puller Pilot (K3 Models)
J 36616 Bushing Replacer
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
DISASSEMBLY OF AXLE
transmit the driving force. This prevents tire scuffing
when going around corners and prevents premature
wear on internal axle parts.
The differential case is supported in the axle housing
by two tapered roller bearings. The differential and ring
gear are located in relationship to the pinion by using
threaded adjusters.
The axle identification is an alphabetic broadcast
code located on a tag attached to the right axle tube.
The axle is produced with 8 1/4-inch and 9 1/4-inch
ring gears. The 8 1/4-inch ring gear is used on K1,2
models; the 9 1/4-inch ring gear is used on K3 models.
The drive axles are completely flexible assemblies
consisting of inner and outer constant velocity (CV)
joints protected by thermoplastic boots and connected
by an axle shaft.
1. Differential actuator (10).
2. Engagement switch (13).
3. Bolts (6).
4. Axle tube (5) with right output shaft (1).
5. Differential sleeve (22).
6. Shift shaft (18), damper spring (17), shift fork (16),
and shifter shaft ring (15).
7. Spring (14).
8. Shim (20).
9. Carrier connector (9) with retainer ring (8) (K1, 2
models).
• Clamp the axle tube (5) in a vise. Clamp only
on the mounting flange.
• Strike the inside of the shaft (1) flange with a
brass hammer to dislodge the carrier connector.
10. Snap ring (12) and washer (11) and thrust washer
(7) (K3 models) (figure 3).
11. Right output shaft (1) with deflector (2).
12. Seal (3) and o u tp u t sh a ft bearing (4). Use
J 29369-1 (K1, 2 models) or J 29369-2 (K3 mod­
els) with J 29307 (figure 6).
13. Output shaft (23).
14. Differential pilot bearing (21). Use J 34011 (figure
7).
15. The left output shaft (59) with deflector (2) using
tool J 2619-1 (figure 8).
16. Seal (3). Pry out with seal removal tool.
17. Bearings (30). Use the tools listed in step 12.
18. Bolts (28).
19. Right side carrier half (29). Tap on the cast lugs
provided.
20. Differential assembly.
• Pry up on the locks (51) (right side only on K3).
21. Bolt (64) and lock (63) (K3 models) (figure 10).
22. Sleeve(s) (32) and side bearing (33) cups (right
side only on K3).
• Turn the sleeve(s) to push the bearing cup(s)
out of the bore(s). Use J 36599 (figure 9).