GM 22874951
Axle Shaft, Rear

The first stage to replace the rear Axle Shaft requires the driver to lift the vehicle before removing tire and wheel components. The procedure starts with releasing the brake caliper mounting bracket along with the rear Wheel Speed Sensor. Perform the sequence of steps which begins with removing the gasket alongside the rear axle housing cover then continue with the pinion shaft locking bolt. Owners must remove the pinion shaft completely from axles without a locking differential but should only partially remove it from locking differential axles before rotating the case until the pinion shaft contacts the housing. The screwdriver serves to turn the c-lock while it approaches the thrust block alignment configuration and afterward push the Axle Shaft flange toward the differential until the c-lock releases from the Axle Shaft's button where the shaft remains untwisted to maintain proper alignment. The j 2619-01 (slide hammer) alongside the j 45859 (remover/installer) should be used for axle shafts which prove difficult to extract. Insert the Axle Shaft into the rear axle housing while it enters the differential side gear splines properly. To install lock type axles set the c-lock onto the button end of the shaft whereas lock type axles should position the pinion shaft partially out with c-lock flat against the thrust block before insertion into the differential gear. Attach the pinion shaft through its hole until it lines up with the differential case bolt hole before installing a new locking pinion bolt that needs a torque of 36 nm (27 lb ft) for 8.6-inch axle installation or 50 nm (37 lb ft) for 9.5 ld-inch axle tightening. After securing the rear Wheel Speed Sensor reattach the brake caliper mounting bracket then the rear axle housing cover together with its gasket. The last step consists of reattaching the tire along with wheel assembly followed by adding proper lubricant to the rear axle and lowering the vehicle.

To replace the rear Axle Shaft, first, lift the vehicle. Take off the tire and wheel assembly, take off the brake caliper as well as the rear Wheel Speed Sensor. Next, remove the rear axle housing cover and gasket and the pinion shaft locking bolt. On axles non-locking take off the pinion shaft; for those with a locking Differential, partially back off the pinion shaft and turn the case to allow the pinion shaft to contact the housing. With the help of a screw driver or any other similar device, turn the c-lock until it is in line with the thrust block and push on the flange of the Axle Shaft towards the Differential then pull out the c-lock from the button end of the Axle Shaft. Important: make sure that you do not rotate the Axle Shaft during the process of removal so as to prevent misaligning the gears. If the axle is stubborn to be removed, use the j 45859 (Axle Remover) and j 2619-01 (Slide Hammer). During installation, ensure that when you install the Axle Shaft into the rear axle housing, the spline on the shaft locks into the right side gear on the Differential end. For axles without locking Differential install your c-lock against the button end of Axle Shaft. For those with locking Differential, tap pinion shaft in halfway and install a c lock on Axle Shaft to let ends be flush with thrust block . Pull the shaft flange out to set the seat of the c-lock, in the Differential gear and align the hole of pinion shaft, with a hole of bolt in the case of Differential. And then, install six new pinion shaft bolt; tighten to 36n.m (27 lb ft) for the 8.6 inch axle, and to 50 n.m (37 lb ft) for the 9.5 ld inch axle. Replace the rear axle covering and gasket as well as the brake caliper, the rear Wheel Speed Sensor, and the tire and wheel assembly. Finally, fill the rear axle with the required type of axle lubricant and withdraw the vehicle.

The replacement process for rear axle shafts with their gaskets begins by removing the flange bolts as a starting point. Grip the rib of the Axle Shaft flange with locking pliers after soft-faced hammer tapping the shaft to separate it from the tube. After this initial step slowly twist the pliers to start removal. The procedure includes pulling out the Axle Shaft from the tube while removing the gasket followed by cleaning both the hub assembly outside and Axle Shaft flange. Place the gasket on the Axle Shaft before putting both components into the axle tube while ensuring proper splines alignment between differential side gear and Axle Shaft. Place the holes of the axle flange and gasket together with the corresponding holes in the hub before installing the axle flange bolts. The procedure for tightening axle flange bolts differs between the 10.5 inch and 11.5 inch axles. Use 156 n.m (115 lb ft) torque for the 10.5 inch axle flange bolts and 185 n.m (136 lb ft) torque for the 11.5 inch axle flange bolts. The final step includes checking the condition of the axle housing before adding lubricant if required.

A technician must elevate and stabilize the vehicle before removing the tire alongside its wheel assembly to change the rear Axle Shaft on an 8.6 inch axle with drum brake and vses. Remove the rear Wheel Speed Sensor and the rear cover together with their attached gasket. Begin by removing the pinion shaft locking bolt on both non-locking differential axles before extracting the shaft or partially extracting it if the differential has a locking mechanism and rotating the case to let the shaft touch the differential housing. Position the screwdriver tool or equivalent tool to rotate the c-lock until proper alignment with the thrust block occurs. First remove the Brake Drum and afterward push inside the Axle Shaft while removing the c-lock from the Axle Shaft to extract it from the differential housing. The j 45859 and j 2619-01 tools will help you remove an axle that resists your efforts. When installing the differential Axle Shaft place it carefully into the differential housing while the splines meet up with the differential side gears. The proper installation of the c-lock requires placement on the button end of the Axle Shaft for non-locking differentials but placement on the Axle Shaft with the pinion shaft partially withdrawn for locking differentials with the ends aligned to the thrust block. Service personnel should extend the Axle Shaft outward to allow the lock into the differential gear before aligning the pinion shaft with the differential case. Tighten the new pinion shaft locking bolt to 34 n.m (25 lb ft). Reinstall all components in this sequence: the rear axle cover with a gasket and the rear Wheel Speed Sensor along with the tire and wheel assembly. Soak up fluid into the rear axle and after that take away the support to decrease the vehicle.

Late-stage repairs start with removing the bolts from both the flange assembly. Use a soft-faced hammer to lightly tap the Axle Shaft before you grab the flange's rib with locking pliers for twisting removal. Start by pulling the Axle Shaft through the tube before you remove its gasket then clean both the Axle Shaft flange and the exterior of the hub assembly. To install the axle components place the gasket onto the shaft and position both parts into the tube allowing proper engagement of splines with differential side gears while aligning hub and axle holes. Use the specified torque measurements to tighten the axle flange bolts at 156 n.m (115 lb ft) when using the 10.5 inch axle while using 185 n.m (136 lb ft) for the 11.5 inch axle assembly. To finish the procedure you must check the axle housing for sufficient lubricant and replenish as needed according to the axle size specifications.

Vehicle elevation and tire removal will be the first steps prior to replacing the rear Axle Shaft. Begin by disconnecting both the brake caliper mounting bracket together with the rear Wheel Speed Sensor. Begin the replacement process by removing both the rear axle housing cover with its gasket and subsequently unlocking the pinion shaft bolt. The process begins by removing the pinion shaft entirely for non-locking Differential axles yet you should partially draw back the shaft and turn the housing when the pinion shaft touches its surface for locking Differential axles. You should utilize a screwdriver or equivalent device to orient the c-lock toward the thrust block while pushing the Axle Shaft flange toward the Differential before removing the c-lock from the button end of the Axle Shaft without turning the shaft to maintain alignment. The j 2619-01 (slide hammer) together with the j 45859 (remover/installer) should be used to handle difficult Axle Shaft removals. The installation process requires you to put the Axle Shaft through the housing space while making sure the gear splines link with the Differential side gear. Cells should be positioned on the button end of axles without locking differentials yet placed at the Differential gear while keeping pinion shafts partially withdrawn for axles equipped with locking differentials. Use a new pinion shaft locking bolt to secure the hole in the pinion shaft to the Differential case bolt hole. Tighten the bolt to 36 nm (27 lb ft) for 8.6 inch axles and 50 nm (37 lb ft) for 9.5 ld inch axles. The rear Axle Shaft end play needs to be measured because it should measure 0.012 inch per side while radial play requires 0.002-0.003 inch; replace parts that show excessive wear. Put back the rear axle housing cover with its gasket and reinstall both the brake caliper mounting bracket and the rear Wheel Speed Sensor. To complete the procedure you need to mount the wheel and tire while filling the rear axle with recommended lubricant before lowering the vehicle.

Install the new pinion shaft locking bolt and tighten it to 50 N.m (37 lb ft).

Begin by raising the vehicle and removing the tire and wheel assembly.

Use a screwdriver to rotate the lock until it aligns with the thrust block, then push in on the rear axle shaft to remove the lock.

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

Install the lock in the rear axle, followed by the differential pinion gear shaft, and secure it with a new bolt tightened to 34 Nm (25 lb ft) for the 8.6 inch axle or 50 Nm (37 lb ft) for the 9.5 inch axle.