Axle S H A F T - GMC 1982 Light Duty Truck Service Manual

4 B 1 -2 R EAR A X LE
Fig. 4B1-1--Differential Pinion Shaft Removal
A X L E S H A F T
Removal
1. Raise vehicle on hoist. Remove wheel and tire assembly
and brake drums.
2. Clean all dirt from around 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 4 B 1 -1.
5. Push flanged end of axle shaft toward center of vehicle
and remove "C " lock from button end of shaft.
6. Remove axle shaft from housing, being careful not to
damage oil seal.
W hen removing the axle shaft on the 9 1/2" ring gear
axle, be sure the thrust washer in the differential case
does not slid out.
Axles equipped with 8 - 7 /8 " ring gears and Eaton
Locking differentials use a thrust block on the pinion shaft
Fig. 4Bl-2--Removing Lock Screw
Fig. 4B1 -3--Positioning Case For Best Clearance
which affects the removal of axle shafts as noted below.
1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist. Remove both rear wheel
and tire assemblies and both rear brake drums.
2. Remove the rear cover and drain the lubricant.
3. Rotate the case to the position shown in figure 4B 1-2.
Support the pinion shaft so that it cannot fall into the
case, then remove the lock screw.
4. Carefully withdraw the pinion shaft part-way out, as
shown in figure 4B1-3. Rotate the case until the shaft
touches the housing.
5. Reach into the case with a screwdriver or similar tool,
and rotate the C-lock until its open end points directly
inward, as shown in figure 4B1-4. The axle shaft cannot
be pushed inward until the C-lock is properly
positioned.
Do not force or hammer the axle shaft
gain clearance.
6. When the C-lock is positioned to pass through the end
of the thrust block, push the axle shaft inward as shown
in figure 4B1-5,
Fig. 4Bl-4--Correct C-Lock Position
in an attem pt to
and remove the C-lock.