Chevrolet Light Duty Truck 1973 Service Manual page 249

Fig. 50—Bearing Installation Using Pipe or Tube
8 - 7 /8 Ring Gear Axle
AXLE ASSEMBLY
Construction of the axle assembly is such that service
operations may be performed with the housing installed
in the vehicle or with the housing installed in a holding
fixture. The following removal and installation procedure
is necessary only when the housing requires replacement.
See CAUTION on page 1 of this
CAU TIO N :
section, regarding Axle Assembly fasteners.
Removal
1. Raise vehicle on hoist.
2. Support rear axle assembly with suitable lifting
device, so that tension is relieved in springs and
shock absorbers.
3. Remove trunnion bearing "U " bolts from the axle
companion flange, separate trunnion from flange,
position propeller shaft to one side and tie it to
frame side rail.
NOTE: Secure trunnion bearing caps to
trunnion, using masking tape or a large
rubber band, to prevent loss of bearings.
4. Disconnect shock absorbers at lower attachment
points and position out of the way.
5. Disconnect axle vent hose from vent connector and
position vent hose to one side.
. Disconnect hydraulic brake hose at connector on
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axle housing. Remove brake drum, disconnect
parking brake cable at actuating levers and at
flange plate. Refer to Section 5 for cable removal
and brake details. Remove axle "U " bolt nuts, "U "
bolts, spacers and clamp plates.
7. Lower axle assembly and remove from vehicle.
CO M PO N EN T PARTS REPLACEMENT
REAR S U S PEN SIO N A N D DRIVELINE
. Never hammer directly on races or rollers, and
6
never use a wooden or soft metal mallet, as chips or
splinters may enter the bearing.
7. Use many smart quick taps rather than a few heavy
ones.
. Have straight square ends on driving accessories
8
and fixtures.
9. Drive races solidly up against shoulder of shaft and
housing.
10.
Clean tools, clean hands and clean surroundings
are essential if damage to the bearing is to be
avoided.
Installation
1. Position axle assembly under vehicle and align with
springs.
2. Install spacer, clamp plate and "U " bolts to axle
assembly, loosely install retaining nuts to "U " bolts.
3. Position shock absorbers in lower attachment
brackets and loosely install nut to retain shock.
4. Connect axle vent hose to vent connector at carrier.
5. Connect hydraulic brake hose to connector on axle
housing, connect parking brake cable to actuating
levers. Install brake drum and wheel and tire
assembly—bleed brakes and adjust parking brake as
outlined in applicable portion of Section 5.
. Reassemble the propeller shaft to companion
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flange, making sure that bearing caps are indexed
in flange seat. Torque bearing cap retaining nuts to
specifications.
7. Position vehicle so that weight is placed on
suspension components and torque affected parts to
specifications.
. Lower vehicle and remove from hoist.
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AXLE SHAFT
Removal
1. Raise vehicle on hoist. Remove wheel and tire
assembly and brake drums.
2. Clean all dirt from area of carrier cover.
3. Drain lubricant from carrier by removing cover.
4. Remove the differential pinion shaft lock screw and
the differential pinion shaft as shown in figure 51.
5. Push flanged end of axle shaft toward center of
vehicle and remove "C" lock from button end of
shaft.
. Remove axle shaft from housing, being careful not
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to damage oil seal.
4 -2 5
LIGHT DUTY TRUCK SERVICE MANUAL