Major Repairs; Rear Axle Assembly; Removing Axle Shaft Seal - Pontiac Grand Prix Service Manual

STANDARD DIFFERENTIAL 4A-11
IMPORTANT: Install new axle housing to brake
backing plate gasket.
2. Install brake assembly to axle housing bolts and
place brake backing plate in proper position.
3. With a new outer retainer gasket in proper position,
carefully insert axle shaft assembly into housing until
splines engage differential.
CA UTION: Do not let shaft drag on oil seal.
4. Drive axle shaft assembly into position with soft
faced hammer.
5. Place the new outer retainer gasket (Fig. 4A-3) and
retainer over studs and install nuts. Tighten nuts to 35
lb. ft. torque.
6. Install brake drums over wheel bolts.
Fig. 4A-12 Installing Inner Retainer (Typical)
7. Install wheels and tighten wheel nuts to d0 lb. ft.
torque (Pontiac) or 65 lb. ft. torque (Tempest, Firebird
and Grand Prix).
Fig. 4A-13 Removing Axle Shaft Seal
MAJOR REPAIRS
REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY
It is not necessary to remove the rear axle assembly for
any normal repairs. However, if the housing is
damaged, the rear axle assembly may be removed and
installed using the following procedure:
REMOVE
1.Raise rear of car high enough to permit working
underneath. Place a floor jack under center of axle
housing so it just starts to raise rear axle assembly.
Place car stands solidly under frame members on both
sides.
2.
Disconnect rear universal joint from companion
flange by removing two U-bolts. Use a heavy rubber
band or tape to hold bearings onto journal, to prevent
loss of bearing rollers when joint is disconnected if tie
wire has been removed (Fig. 4A-5). Support propeller
shaft out of the way.
3. Remove both axle shafts.
4. Support both brake backing plates out of the way.
5. Disconnect rear brake hose bracket by removing top
cover bolt. Remove brake line from housing by
bending back tabs.
6. Loosen remaining cover bolts, break loose cover
about 1/8" and allow lubricant to drain.
7. Disconnect shock absorbers at axle housing.
8. Pontiac, Tempest and Grand Prix
-
Lower jack
Fig. 4A-14 Installing
Axle
Shaft Seal (Typical)
under axle housing until rear springs can be removed.