GM 19333218
Axle Cover, Rear

To replace the rear axle housing cover and gasket on an 8.6 Inch Axle first lift the vehicle and clean the surroundings of the rear axle fill plug and then remove it. Next, Remove the rear axle housing cover bolts and dispose of them, and carefully separate the rear axle housing cover from the axle housing, discharging the lubricant into suitable container. Take out any gasket material from the rear axle housing and from the cover, and check the bottom of the rear axle housing for metal particle accumulation, which is a sign of extreme wear. For installation, new gasket and rear axle housing cover on their position on the axle housing without any reuse of rear axle housing cover bolts. Replace the new rear axle housing cover bolts and tighten it in a crossed pattern to 40 Nm (30 ft. lbs.). Drain the rear axle and replace fill with correct fluid and reinstall the rear axle fill plug, tighten it to 33 Nm (24 ft. lbs) before lowering the vehicle.

The first step to remove and replace the rear axle housing components requires vehicle elevation along with draining the rear axle. Use an appropriate drain pan to contain the oil and remove gasket material from both rear axle housing and rear axle housing cover while removing the rear axle housing cover bolts and taking off the rear axle housing cover from the axle housing. Position the rear axle housing cover on the housing surface together with its gasket before installing the rear axle housing cover bolts by crisscrossing the pattern when tightening to 39 nm (29 ft. Lbs.). Before vehicle descent complete the rear axle fluid installation and maintenance routines as per specifications.

The procedure to install the new rear axle housing cover starts with vehicle elevation and fill plug drainage followed by removal of rear axle housing bolts. Start by eliminating the rear axle housing cover bolts then remove the rear axle housing cover from the axle housing surface as you capture the oil in an appropriate vessel and scrub away any gasket residue from both components. The installation process requires placing the new gasket along with the rear axle housing cover back onto the axle housing while strictly following the fastener notice from service precautions. You should place the new gasket onto the axle housing and set the rear axle housing cover in position. Then install the bolts and crosswise tighten them to 40 nm (30 ft. Lbs.). Install proper fluid into the rear axle then reinstall its fill plug with 33 nm (24 ft. Lbs.) torque before you lower the vehicle.

Start by cleaning the fill plug area of the rear axle before axle housing cover and gasket replacement on 9.75, 10.5, and 10.75 Inch Axles when following the protocol. Following the removal of rear axle housing cover bolts, discard them and slowly separate the rear axle housing cover from the axle housing while pouring lubricant into a suitable containment vessel. The bottom of the rear axle housing needs careful assessment for excessive metal particles that would indicate severe wear. Both the rear axle housing and its cover need their sealant removed before inspection. A minimum 1/8-1/4 inch (3.18-6.35 mm) high and wide bead of sealant (GM P/N 12346240 or Canadian P/N 10953493 equivalent) should be applied to the rear axle housing cover across its central flange and internal bolt hole openings for installation. Install the new rear axle housing cover with fresh bolts with a torque of 61 Nm (45 lb ft). Before adding lubricant to the axle let the sealant cure for one hour and reinstall the fill plug tightened to 33 Nm (24 lb ft). Finally lower the vehicle.

The first step to remove and replace the rear axle housing components requires vehicle elevation along with draining the rear axle. Use an appropriate drain pan to contain the oil and remove gasket material from both rear axle housing and rear axle housing cover while removing the rear axle housing cover bolts and taking off the rear axle housing cover from the axle housing. Position the rear axle housing cover on the housing surface together with its gasket before installing the rear axle housing cover bolts by crisscrossing the pattern when tightening to 39 nm (29 ft. Lbs.). Before vehicle descent complete the rear axle fluid installation and maintenance routines as per specifications.

Raise the vehicle and drain the rear axle.

Install the drain plug and tighten it to 33 N.m (24 lb in).

Fill the rear drive axle with fluid and remove the support to lower the vehicle.

Install the new gasket and the rear axle housing cover, taking care not to reuse the rear axle housing cover bolts.

No, it is important not to reuse them; instead, install new rear axle housing cover bolts.

Tighten them in a crosswise pattern to 39 Nm (29 ft. lbs.).

Inspect the bottom of the rear axle housing for excessive metal particle accumulation.

Inspect for excessive metal particle accumulation, which may indicate extreme wear.

Raise the vehicle and clean the area around the rear axle fill plug before removing it.

Fill the rear axle with the proper fluid and lower the vehicle.

Fill the rear axle with the proper fluid and lower the vehicle.

Fill the rear axle with the proper fluid and lower the vehicle.

Remove the rear axle housing cover bolts and discard them.

Raise the vehicle and drain the rear axle.

Remove the rear axle housing cover bolts and discard them.

Fill the rear axle with the correct fluid and lower the vehicle.

Raise the vehicle and drain the rear axle using the appropriate procedures for the specific axle type (8.6 Inch Axle, 9.5 Inch LD Axle, or 10.5 Inch Axle).

Clean it with a suitable cleaner, and also clean the gasket surfaces of both the rear axle housing cover and the rear axle housing.

Install the rear axle housing cover along with a new gasket, ensuring not to reuse the rear axle housing cover bolts.

Remove any gasket material from both the rear axle housing and the cover.

Remove any gasket material from both the rear axle housing and the rear axle housing cover.