Axleshaft (rear) — removal and installation
Semi-floating axle shaft Removal
1. Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts. Raise the rear of the vehicle, support it securely on jack stands and block the front wheels. Remove the wheel and brake disc (see Brakes).
2. Remove the rear wheel speed sensor.
3. Drain the differential lubricant (see Tune-up and routine maintenance). Remove the differential cover.
Note: Only the 8.6-inch differential requires the differential cover to be removed to drain the fluid. All other models are equipped with a drain plug.
4. Remove the pinion shaft lock screw (see illustration).
7.4 Remove the pinion shaft lock screw
5. On models with a conventional differential (non-locking), remove the pinion shaft. On models with a locking differential, withdraw the pinion shaft part way, then rotate the differential until the shaft touches the case, providing enough clearance for access to the C-locks (see illustration).
7.5 Withdraw the pinion shaft for access to the C-locks (don’t turn the axle shafts or differential carrier after the shaft has been pulled out , or the spider gears may become misaligned)
6. Push in on the outer flanged end of the axle shaft, then remove the C-lock from the groove on the inner end of the shaft (see illustration). On models with a locking differential, use a screwdriver to rotate the C-lock until the open-end points in (see illustration).
7.6a Push the axle flange in, then remove the C-lock from the inner end of the axle shaft
7.6b On models with a locking differential, the C-lock must be positioned as shown before it can be removed
7. With the C-lock removed, withdraw the axle shaft, taking care not to damage the oil seal (but note that it is a good idea to replace the seal whenever the axle shaft is removed — see Axleshaft oil seal (rear, semi-floating axle) — replacement). Some models have a thrust washer in the differential; make sure it doesn’t fall out when the axle shaft is removed.
Caution: Do NOT rotate the axle shaft (and don’t rotate the other axle shaft, either). The pinion (or «spider») gears in the differential will become misaligned and it will be difficult to put them back in position during reassembly.
Installation
8. To install, carefully insert the axle shaft into the housing until it engages with the differential side gear.
9. Install the C-lock in the axle shaft groove and pull out on the flange to lock it.
10. Insert the pinion shaft, align the hole in the shaft with the lock screw hole and install the lock screw.
Note: Apply a non-hardening, thread-locking compound to the threads of the lock screw before installing it. Tighten the lock screw to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.
11. Install the cover and tighten the bolts to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifications. Fill the differential with the lubricant specified in Chapter Tune-up and routine maintenance.
12. Install the brake disc, caliper mounting bracket and caliper, then tighten the fasteners to the torque listed in the Chapter Brakes Specifications. Install the wheel and lug nuts, then lower the vehicle. Tighten the lug nuts to the torque listed in the Tune-up and routine maintenance Specifications.
Full-floating axle shaft
13. Remove the bolts that attach the axle-shaft flange to the hub.
14. Tap the flange with a soft-face hammer to loosen the shaft, then grip the rib in the face of the flange with a pair of locking pliers. Twist the shaft slightly in both directions and withdraw it from the housing. Place a drip pan under the outer end of the axle to catch any lubricant which might leak out while the axle is removed.
15. Installation is the reverse of removal. Be sure to hold the axle shaft level to engage the splines at the inner end with those in the differential side gear. Always use a new gasket on the flange and keep both the flange and hub mating surfaces free of grease and oil. Tighten the axle shaft flange bolts to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.