Rear Axle - Chevrolet 1956 Truck Operator's Manual

ard equipment and in combination with transmission options.
The 160%" wheelbase L.C.F. and the 2 ton 172", 194" and
220" wheelbase models use three propeller shafts and four uni-
versal joints.
The 240" wheelbase 2% ton models use four propeller
shafts and five universal joints.
All models with two or more propeller shafts (except tan-
dem axle models) have a bearing support located near the
rear ends of the front propeller shaft and each intermediate
shaft. The 174" wheelbase tandem axle model has a bearing
support at the front end of the intermediate shaft. The 192"
tandem axle model has a bearing support at the rear of the
front propeller shaft.
All bearing supports are permanently lubricated at assem-
bly and require no further lubrication.
Care. When the universal joints are lubricated regularly as
instructed in this manual, they will require very little other
care or maintenance. The universal joint "U" bolt nuts should
be checked occasionally to make sure they are tight.
REAR AXLE
Description (%-Ton). The % ton rear axle is of the semi-
floating hypoid gear Hotchkiss drive type. The rear universal
joint rear yoke is splined and locked to the pinion shaft. The
hypoid drive pinion is mounted on pre-loaded taper roller
bearings. The hypoid design ring gear is bolted to the differen-
tial case which is mounted on pre-loaded barrel roller bearings.
These units together with the two differential side and pinion
gears are mounted in a differential carrier containing lubrica-
tion channels for the pinion bearings. The axle shafts are
splined to the differential side gears. The outer ends of the
axle shafts support the weight of the vehicle on roller bearings.
Description
(%,
1, 1%, 2 and 2% Ton). These models all use
a sturdy full floating rear axle having straddle mounted pin-
ion, a four pinion differential and hypoid ring gear and pinion.
An adjustable thrust pad is placed back of the ring gear
in line with the pinion to avoid any possibility of distortion
when starting under heavy loads. The differential is mounted
in heavy duty barrel type roller bearings. The bearing caps
are piloted to the carrier by dowels to provide additional
rigidity.
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