Chevrolet 1988 Light Duty Truck Repair Manual page 293

K TRUCK FRONT AXLE
SUBJECT
D escrip tion .........................................................................................................................................................................................4 C 4- 1
Disassembly of A x le ...................................................................................................................................................................... 4 C 4 - 2
In s p ec tio n ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 C 4 - 2
D is ass e m b ly ..................................................................................................................................................................................4 C 4 - 2
Cleaning and In s p e c tio n ............................................................................................................................................................... 4 C 4- 8
C le a n in g .........................................................................................................................................................................................4 C 4 - 8
In s p e c tio n ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 C 4 - 8
Assembly of A xle............................................................................................................................................................................. 4 C 4 - 9
Pinion Bearing Cup In s ta lla tio n ............................................................................................................................................ 4 C 4 - 9
Pinion Depth A d ju s tm e n t........................................................................................................................................................ 4 C 4 -1 0
Pinion In s ta lla tio n ...................................................................................................................................................................... 4 C 4 -1 0
D ifferential Case A ssem b ly......................................................................................................................................................4 C 4 -1 2
Adjusting B a c k la s h ....................................................................................................................................................................4 C 4 -1 3
Gear Tooth Contact Pattern C h e c k ..................................................................................................................................... 4 C 4 -1 4
Carrier Case A s s e m b ly .............................................................................................................................................................4 C 4 -1 5
Axle Tube A s s e m b ly ................................................................................................................................................................. 4 C 4 -1 6
Final A ssem bly.............................................................................................................................................................................4 C 4 -1 7
S p e c ific a tio n s ..................................................................................................................................................................................4 C 4 -2 0
Special T o o ls ....................................................................................................................................................................................4C 4-21
The axle used on K model vehicles has a center discon­
nect feature which allows shifting into and out of four
wheel drive when the vehicle is in motion under most con­
ditions. The axle is shifted by a therm al actuator solenoid.
The axle uses a conventional ring gear and pinion gear
set to transm it the driving force of the engines to the
wheels. This gear set transfers this driving force at a 90
degree angle from the propeller shaft to the drive shafts.
The pinion gear is supported by two tapered roller bear­
ings. The pinion depth is set by a shim located 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 bear­
ings in the axle housing.
The ring gear is bolted onto the differential case with
left-hand thread bolts.
INSPECTION
Perform the following checks before disassem bling the
axle.
1. Remove the drain plug from the axle and drain the
axle lubricant into a suitable container.
2. Check the ring gear backlash. Refer to " Adjusting
B a c k la s h ." T h is in fo rm a tio n can be used to
determ ine the cause of the axle problem. It will also
help when setting up the shim packs for locating
and preloading the differential case.
SECTION 4C4
CONTENTS
DESCRIPTION
by two tapered roller bearings. The differential and ring
gear are located in relationship to the pinion by using
threaded adjusters.
different rates of speed while the front axle continues to
transm it the driving force. This prevents tire scuffing when
going around corners and prevents prem ature wear on
internal axle parts.
tached to the right axle tube.
gears. The 8 1 /4-inch ring gear is used on K15-25 models;
the 9 1 /4-inch ring gear is used on K35 models.
DISASSEMBLY OF AXLE
The differential case is supported in the axle housing
The differential is used to allow the w heels to turn at
The axle identification num ber is located on a tag at­
The axle is produced with 8 1 /4-inch and 9 1 /4-inch ring
3. Inspect the case for metal chips. Determ ine where
the metal chips come from, such as a broken gear
or bearing cage.
4. Determine the cause of the axle problem before
disassem bly if possible.
DISASSEMBLY
R em o ve or D isco n n ect (F ig u res 1 th ro u g h 19)
Tools Required:
J 29369-1 Bearing Remover (K15-25 Models)
J 29369-2 Bearing Remover (K35 Models)
4C4-1
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