Chrysler RAM TRUCK 2500 1994 Service Manual page 118

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REAR SUSPENSION AND AXLE 3 - 11
LUBRICATION CHANGE
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove the lubricant fill hole plug from the dif­
ferential housing cover.
(3) Remove the differential housing cover. Allow
the original lubricant to completely drain from the
housing and axle shaft tubes.
(4) With standard differential, clean differential
and housing with flushing oil or light engine oil. This
will remove the residual lubricant and foreign mat­
ter. Do not use water, steam, kerosene or gaso­
line for flushing.
(5) Scrape the residual sealant from the housing
and cover mating surfaces. Clean the mating surfaces
with mineral spirits. Apply a bead of MOPAR® Sili­
cone Rubber Sealant on the housing cover (Fig. 2).
Allow the sealant to cure for a few minutes.
SEALING CONTOUR OF BEAD
Fig. 2 Typical Housing Cover
Install the housing cover within 5 minutes af­
ter applying the sealant. I f not installed, the
sealant must be removed and another bead ap­
plied.
(6) Install the cover on the differential. Install the
identification tag. Tighten the cover bolts to 47 N-m
(35 ft. lbs.) torque.
CAUTION: Overfilling the differential can result in
the lubricant foaming and overheating.
(7) Refill the differential with the specified quan­
tity of MOPAR® Hypoid Gear Lubricant.
(8) Install the fill hole plug.
AXLE SHAFT, SEAL AND BEARING SERVICE
CAUTION: When rear axle service is necessary,
both rear wheels must be raised off the surface s o
that they are free to rotate. Be cautious when the
tires are being rotated by the engine or by other
means.
AXLE SHAFT REMOVAL
(1) Raise and support the vehicle.
(2) Remove tire wheel assembly.
(3) Remove the brake drum.
(4) Clean all the foreign material from housing
cover area.
(5) Remove differential cover and drain the lubri­
cant from the housing.
(6) Remove the lock screw and the pinion mate
gear shaft from the case (Fig. 3).
PINION
Fig. 3 Pinion Mate Shaft Lock Screw
(7) Push the axle shaft i n and remove axle shaft C-
clip lock from axle shaft (Fig. 4).
(8) Remove the axle shaft. Use care to prevent
damage to the axle shaft bearing.
(9) Inspect the axle shaft bearing contact surface
area for indications of wear.
If wear exists the axle shaft and bearing
should be replaced. Normal bearing contact on
the shaft
w i l l
be a dull gray and could appear
to be lightly dented. I f any of these conditions
exist, the axle shaft and bearing must be re­
placed.