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"press-fitted" o n the case hubs (Fig. 1, F i g . 2). A
threaded differential bearing adjuster ( w i t h a hex-
shaped d r i v e hole) is located i n each b e a r i n g cap t o
provide two functions:
• to adjust and m a i n t a i n the " b a c k l a s h " between t h e
r i n g gear a n d the drive p i n i o n gear; and
• to establish a means for o b t a i n i n g and t h e n r e t a i n -
i n g the differential bearing "preload" torque.
The rear axle shaft bearings are the s t r a i g h t - r o l l e r
bearing type and " r o l l " directly o n t h e axle
shaft
(Fig. 1, F i g . 2). Each bearing consists o f a n outer
race, a b e a r i n g cage and the rollers. The b e a r i n g is
"press-fitted" i n the axle shaft tube. Each axle shaft
is mated w i t h the differential side gear b y s l i d i n g i t
t h r o u g h t h e tube seal and the b e a r i n g bore. B o t h t h e
seal and t h e bearing rollers are i n contact w i t h the
axle shaft. T h e axle shaft splines " m e s h " w i t h t h e
differential side gear splines w i t h a semi-loose f i t .
Each axle shaft has a machined c i r c u l a r groove near
i t s end and they are retained i n the side gears v i a
C-clip "lock"s t h a t are inserted i n the grooves. W h e n
the axle shafts and t h e C-clip "locks" a r e correctly
positioned, t h e C-clip "locks" w i l l be located i n t h e
side gear machined counterbores and, w h e n t h e p i n -
ion gear mate shaft is inserted i n t h e d i f f e r e n t i a l
case (and retained by t h e lock screw), the axle shafts
are "locked" i n place. Therefore, w i t h axle shaft lat-
eral movement prevented, axle shaft b e a r i n g
"end
p l a y " adjustment is not required.
The axle shaft bearings are lubricated v i a t h e dif-
ferential
housing gear
l u b r i c a n t t h a t
i s
always
present i n t h e axle shaft tubes.
B o t h axle types are equipped w i t h a remote vent
f i t t i n g . For a n 8 3/8-inch diameter r i n g gear axle, the
f i t t i n g is located on the r i g h t axle shaft tube. For a 9
1/4-inch diameter r i n g gear axle, t h e fitting i s lo-
cated on t h e left axle shaft tube.
I f t h e r e a r axle i s s u b m e r g e d i n w a t e r , t h e l u -
b r i c a n t m u s t b e r e p l a c e d i m m e d i a t e l y t o a v o i d
t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f p r e m a t u r e a x l e f a i l u r e r e s u l t -
i n g f r o m w a t e r c o n t a m i n a t i o n o f t h e l u b r i c a n t .
" S u r e - G r i p " differentials are optionally
available
for both axle types. Refer to the S u r e - G r i p
D i f f e r -
e n t i a l section w i t h i n t h i s Group for service proce-
dures.
AXLE SHAFT, SEAL AND BEARING SERVICE
CAUTION: When rear axle service is necessary, or
when the axle is being rotated either via the engine
or by other means, both rear wheels must be raised
off the surface so that they are free to rotate.
AXLE SHAFT
REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the wheel/tire.
(3) Remove the brake d r u m .
(4) Clean a l l the foreign m a t e r i a l f r o m t h e area
where t h e differential housing cover mates w i t h the
differential housing.
(5) Loosen the housing cover bolts a n d d r a i n t h e l u -
b r i c a n t f r o m the housing and the axle shaft tubes.
Remove t h e housing cover.
(6) Rotate the differential case so t h a t t h e differen-
t i a l p i n i o n mate gear shaft lock screw is accessible.
Remove t h e lock screw and t h e p i n i o n mate gear
shaft f r o m the differential case (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3 Pinion Gear Mate Shaft Lock Screw
(7) Force the applicable axle shaft t o w a r d the cen-
ter o f t h e vehicle and remove the axle shaft C-clip
" l o c k " f r o m t h e recessed groove i n t h e axle
shaft
(Fig. 4) w i t h two screwdrivers or another appropriate
tool.
Fig. 4 Axle Shaft C-Clip Lock
(8) Remove the axle shaft from t h e differential side
gear a n d t h e axle shaft tube. Use care t o prevent
damage t o the axle shaft bearing, w h i c h w i l l r e m a i n
i n the axle tube.
(9) Inspect the roller bearing contact surface on the
axle shaft for evidence of " b r i n e l l i n g " , " s p a l l i n g " and
" p i t t i n g " .
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