GM 88967027
Companion Flange

A mechanic should begin repairs on the rear Axle Shaft or gasket by lifting the vehicle and removing the tire and wheel because these steps will allow access to the necessary components. First separate the flange bolts then lightly strike the Axle Shaft using a soft-faced hammer to facilitate its removal. Start the removal process by holding the rib on the Axle Shaft flange with locking pliers then twisting it in order to extract the shaft. The Axle Shaft can be removed after freeing it from its position and you can discard the gasket to clean both the Axle Shaft flange and the outside section of the hub assembly. Begin the procedure by putting the gasket on the Axle Shaft before you put the combined assembly through the axle tube to synchronize the differential side gear with the shaft splines. Position the holes of the hub with the flange and gasket and screw the axle flange bolts by tightening them to 156 nm (115 ft. Lbs.). Replace the tire and wheel assembly before reviewing axle lubricant needs and adding it to the axle housing as necessary. Then lower the vehicle to its regular position.

The replacement process for the rear Axle Shaft and gasket starts with removing flange bolts before one taps the Axle Shaft softly with a hammer to separate it. Begin the removal by twisting locking pliers onto the rib on the Axle Shaft flange. Drive the Axle Shaft from the tube before you remove its gasket to maintain cleanliness between the Axle Shaft flange and hub assembly. Install the gasket onto the Axle Shaft before you put both gasket and Axle Shaft into the tube until the splines connect with the differential side gear. Insert the axle flange holes through the gasket holes before fixing it to the proper hub positions. Then torque in the axle flange bolts. During installation of the 10.5 inch axle bolt torque becomes 156 nm (115 ft. Lbs.) while the 11.5 inch axle requires 185 nm (136 ft. Lbs.). The last step involves checking the axle housing for needed lubrication before performing any required additions.

Processing the rear Axle Shaft replacement requires initial park brake disengagement followed by vehicle lifting before tire and wheel removal. Begin by removing the rear steering gear assembly and then proceed with removing the Steering Knuckle assembly. The spring-loaded lock clip should be removed from the Axle Shaft's end so it can fit into the axle slot. A screwdriver-type tool may be needed to release the spring-loaded lock clip but pushing the Axle Shaft inward towards the gears helps with its removal process. Allowing any rotation of the Axle Shaft throughout removal will create gear misalignment which will make rebuilding more difficult. Hook the new Axle Shaft to its designated slot and tighten it into place with the spring loaded lock clip. To reassemble the system follow these steps: begin by installing the Steering Knuckle assembly and thereafter put on the rear steering gear assembly and finally secure the tire and wheel assembly before lowering the vehicle.

The replacement process for the rear Axle Shaft and gasket starts with removing flange bolts before one taps the Axle Shaft softly with a hammer to separate it. Begin the removal by twisting locking pliers onto the rib on the Axle Shaft flange. Drive the Axle Shaft from the tube before you remove its gasket to maintain cleanliness between the Axle Shaft flange and hub assembly. Install the gasket onto the Axle Shaft before you put both gasket and Axle Shaft into the tube until the splines connect with the differential side gear. Insert the axle flange holes through the gasket holes before fixing it to the proper hub positions. Then torque in the axle flange bolts. During installation of the 10.5 inch axle bolt torque becomes 156 nm (115 ft. Lbs.) while the 11.5 inch axle requires 185 nm (136 ft. Lbs.). The last step involves checking the axle housing for needed lubrication before performing any required additions.

The first step for replacing both rear Axle Shaft and gasket begins with vehicle elevation and tire and wheel removal. Using a soft-faced hammer you should gently hit the Axle Shaft after removing its flange bolts. Unlock the rib on the Axle Shaft flange using locking pliers for removing the Axle Shaft by rotating the flange. After removing the components proceed to clean the Axle Shaft flange together with the outer surface of the hub assembly. To install start by placing the gasket on the Axle Shaft followed by inserting the Axle Shaft and gasket into the axle tube until the shaft splines match the differential side gear and the holes of axle flange and gasket line up with the hub holes. Fit the axle flange bolts while torquing them to 156 nm (115 ft. Lbs.). Complete the procedure by reinstalling the tire and wheel and inspect the axle for necessary lubricant addition before lowering the vehicle.

The process starts with Axle Shaft replacement on 8.6 inch and 9.5 inch axles by lifting the vehicle while removing the tire-wheel assembly then the brake caliper. Start by removing both the rear cover and gasket after that unfasten the bolt which locks the pinion shaft. When the Differential contains no locking mechanism users must remove the pinion shaft. Users with locking differentials can draw back their shaft partially before rotating the case so the pinion shaft engages with the housing. A screwdriver-like tool should rotate the locking mechanism until it reaches alignment with the thrust block. Push the flange of the Axle Shaft towards the Differential direction then remove the c-lock from the button end of the Axle Shaft . Rotating the Axle Shaft during removal must be avoided because misaligned gears will make reassembly more difficult to complete. Pull the Axle Shaft out of the housing. Insert the Axle Shaft into the rear axle housing with care to avoid damaging the seal while letting the splines engage the Differential side gear. Lock the button end of the Axle Shaft when a vehicle lacks a locking Differential. Users with locking differentials should place their c-locks onto axle shafts while maintaining pinion shaft partial withdrawal to achieve thrust block surface flushness. Use shaft flange pressure to insert the lock into the Differential gear and position the pinion shaft hole against the Differential case bolt hole. The new pinion shaft locking bolt must receive 36 nm (27 ft. Lbs.) torque when installing it for 8.6 inch axles or 50 nm (37 ft. Lbs.) torque for 9.5 inch axles. Proceed by installing the rear cover along with its gasket and afterward install the brake caliper and tire and wheel system. Finish the replacement by filling the rear axle with specified fluid then lower the vehicle.

Vehicle upkeep begins with releasing the park brake and platform lift of your vehicle while following standard lifting procedures. First remove the tire and wheel assembly before taking away the rear steering gear assembly and Steering Knuckle assembly. After you detach the lock clip from the Axle Shaft's ending slot access point, you need to extract the clip because its springs help it retain its position inside the Axle Shaft's slot. A screwdriver or similar tool must push off the shaft end lock clip before Axle Shaft installation which can be aided through pressing the Axle Shaft forward against the gears. Do not turn the Axle Shaft when removing it because rotation may produce gear alignment issues that create reassembly complications. Fasten the new Axle Shaft by inserting the adjustable spring lock clip onto its end. You should install the Steering Knuckle assembly before adding the rear steering gear assembly and tire and wheel assembly before lowering the vehicle.

You need to support and lift the vehicle before beginning the replacement of the rear Axle Shaft on an 8.6 inch axle with drum brakes (NON-VSES). Start by removing the rear cover together with its gasket and then proceed to unscrew the pinion shaft locking bolt. The pinion shaft removal process varies between axles with conventional locking differentials since you need to pull the shaft partly out then turn the case with the pinion touching the housing. A screwdriver should be used to rotate the lock in the Differential case until it sits correctly against the thrust block. When removing the Brake Drum, push the Axle Shaft flange toward the Differential until the c-lock tool can be extracted from the Axle Shaft button without rotating the shaft to prevent gear misalignment. After setting the Axle Shaft inside the housing you must remove it. To install the Axle Shaft properly insert it into the rear axle housing while letting the splines connect to the Differential side gear. The c-lock should rest on the button end of an Axle Shaft without a locking Differential but should stay off the pinion shaft for axles equipped with this Differential. Drive the Brake Drum onto its position before setting the c-lock onto the Axle Shaft with both ends aligning with the thrust block . Pull the shaft flange away from you to secure the lock into the Differential gear while positioning the hole from the pinion shaft above the Differential case bolt hole. Put on the new pinion shaft locking bolt before tightening it to 34 n.m (25 lb ft). Afterward install the rear cover and gasket then proceed with tire and wheel assembly and fluid addition into the rear axle before lowering the vehicle.

The replacement process for rear axle shafts on 8.6 and 9.5/9.5ld inch axles begins with vehicle suspension and tire and wheel components as well as brake caliper removal. The procedure starts by removing the rear cover together with its gasket before unfastening the pinion shaft locking bolt. The pinion shaft must be removed completely from axles without locking differentials while operatives should remove it partially then rotate the case for those with locking differentials. In this position the pinion shaft should touch the housing. A screwdriver serves to rotate the lock mechanism inside the Differential case until the machined surface directs toward the thrust block. Along with pressing the Axle Shaft flange toward the Differential direction you need to pull out the lock c while taking out the Axle Shaft from the housing without allowing any rotation that might lead to gear misalignment. To avoid damage to the seal while inserting the Axle Shaft into the rear axle housing it should be carefully guided so that spline engagement with the Differential side gear occurs. The button end locking mechanism requires a lock installed on desktop axle shafts yet axles with locking differentials should utilize a c-lock placed on top of the Axle Shaft while maintaining the pinion shaft slightly exposed. The procedure requires you to push the shaft flange out while inserting the lock into the Differential gear and aligning the pinion shaft hole with the Differential case bolt hole. Use the new locking bolt on the pinion shaft and tighten it to 36 nm (27 ft. Lbs.) when using the 8.6 inch axle or 50 nm (37 ft. Lbs.) with the 9.5/9.6ld inch axle. The technician should begin installation by placing the rear cover and gasket followed by the brake caliper before finally installing the tire and wheel assembly and completing the fluid fill in the axle then lowering the vehicle.

Your first step in replacing the rear Axle Shaft (8.6 Inch Axle W/JL4) starts with vehicle lift-up and removal of the tire and wheel assembly then the brake caliper and rear Wheel Speed Sensor. The process starts by removing the rear cover with its gasket and continues with the pinion shaft locking bolt followed by the pinion shaft itself. The Axle Shaft flange needs to move toward the Differential. A soft-faced mallet can help create clearance for the c-lock if needed. Take the c-lock off the button end of the Axle Shaft but do not rotate the shaft to prevent gear misalignment. Remove the shaft from its position in the housing. The installation requires the use of two tools: an axles remover (J 45859) and slide hammer (J 2619-01). Installation requires inserting the Axle Shaft into the rear axle housing where it should engage the Differential side gear followed by soft-faced mallet tapping to ensure proper seating of the Wheel Speed Sensor ring. Fix the lock onto the Axle Shaft's button end before pulling the shaft flange outward to position the lock correctly inside the Differential gear. Insert the pinion shaft through its hole so it matches the Differential case bolt hole before tightening a new locking bolt to 36 nm (27 ft. Lbs.). Reinstall the rear cover together with gasket followed by rear Wheel Speed Sensor or brake caliper before placing the tire and wheel assembly on. Fill the rear axle then lower the vehicle.

The replacement process for the rear Axle Shaft and gasket starts with removing flange bolts before one taps the Axle Shaft softly with a hammer to separate it. Begin the removal by twisting locking pliers onto the rib on the Axle Shaft flange. Drive the Axle Shaft from the tube before you remove its gasket to maintain cleanliness between the Axle Shaft flange and hub assembly. Install the gasket onto the Axle Shaft before you put both gasket and Axle Shaft into the tube until the splines connect with the differential side gear. Insert the axle flange holes through the gasket holes before fixing it to the proper hub positions. Then torque in the axle flange bolts. During installation of the 10.5 inch axle bolt torque becomes 156 nm (115 ft. Lbs.) while the 11.5 inch axle requires 185 nm (136 ft. Lbs.). The last step involves checking the axle housing for needed lubrication before performing any required additions.

Keep the pinion shaft partially withdrawn and ensure the C-lock is flush with the thrust block before seating it in the differential gear.

Pull the shaft flange outward to seat the lock in the differential gear and align the hole in the pinion shaft with the bolt hole in the differential case.

Insert a drift or large screwdriver through the brake caliper into one of the brake rotor vanes.

Install the axle cap and bolts, tightening them to 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.).

Lift the cross and insert the U Joint Bearing Spacer Remover (J9522-5) between the seal and the bearing cup, then continue pressing.

Tighten it to 225 Nm (165 ft. lbs.).

Tighten them to 185 N.m (136 lb ft).

Inspect and add axle lubricant to the axle housing if necessary, following the appropriate lubricant level inspection procedures for the specific axle size.

Follow the specific steps for its removal; otherwise, proceed to remove the differential pinion gear shaft.

Tighten them to 185 N.m (136 lb ft).

Use a screwdriver or similar tool to rotate the C-lock until it aligns with the thrust block.

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

Take off the drive axle center cap.

Remove the tire and wheel assembly, followed by the brake caliper.

Reattach the rear axle housing cover and gasket, then reinstall the wheel speed sensor, brake caliper mounting bracket, rear brake drum if equipped, and finally the tire and wheel assembly.

Check the rear axle shaft end play (0.012 inch per side) and radial play (0.002-0.003 inch).

The lock clip is spring loaded and fits securely in the axle shaft slot; it may require pushing off with a screwdriver or related tool, and pushing the axle shaft inwards towards the gears can assist in removing the lock clip.