1988 PONTIAC FIERO brake

REAR AXLE 4B1-17
e. Assemble oiled oil seal, companion
flange, and new nut on pinion and tighten
nut to specified rotational torque while
rotating pinion forwards to seat bearing
correctly.
Important
NOTICE: If after tightening pinion nut, the
preload is excessive then the collapsible spacer
must be replaced and procedure (d) and (e)
repeated.
OPERATION OF LIMITED SLIP REAR AXLE
(CONE TYPE)
The cone-type limited-slip differential has several
definite operating characteristics. An understanding of
these characteristics is necessary as an aid to diagnosis.
During regular operation (straight ahead driving)
when both wheels rotate at equal speeds, there is an
approximately equal driving force delivered to each
wheel. When cornering, the inside wheel delivers extra
driving force causing slippage in both clutch cones.
Consequently, the operational life of the limited slip
unit is dependent upon equal rotation of both wheels
during straight ahead operation. If wheel rotation for
both rear wheels is not equal during straight ahead
operation, the limited-slip unit will constantly be
functioning as if the vehicle were cornering. This will
impose constant slippage on the clutch cones and will
eventually lead to abnormal wear on the clutch cones.
Therefore, it is important that there be no excessive differences in
the rear wheel tire sizes, air pressures, or
tire wear patterns. One indication of this condition is
"swerving on acceleration." If swerving on
acceleration is encountered, check the rear wheels for
different tire size, air pressure, or excessively different
wear patterns, and tread depths, before proceeding into
an overhaul operation.
Checking Limited-Slip Function
1. Place transmisison in Park position.
2. Raise rear of vehicle until one wheel is off the
ground, remove one wheel and tire assembly.
3. Attach Adapter
J 2619-1 to axle shaft flange and
install a 1/2-13 bolt into adapter as shown in
Fig. 23.
1 -AXLE SHAFT PULLER J-21579
3-TORQUE WRENCH
Fig.
23 Measuring Limited-Slip Rotating Torque
- - 1-DIFF. CASE-FLANGE HALF 5-SHIMS (SIDE GEAR) 9-PINION SHAFT
(IF REQUIRED)
2-BRAKE CONES
(2) 10-THRUST WASHERS
6-DIFF. CASE-CAP HALF (DIFF. PINION) (4)
3-SPRING PLATES (2) 7-COMPRESSION SPRINGS 11
-MOUNTING SCREWS (8) 4-SIDE GEARS (2) 8-DIFF. PINIONS (4)
Fig. 22 Limited Slip Differential

484-18 REAR AXLE
4. With transmission in park and both wheels and
tires clear of ground, (wheels will r~tate in opp-
osite directions), measure torque required to
rotateaxle shafts with a torque
wrenchattached
to J 2619-1. If the torque reading is less than
48 N.m (35 1b.ft.) the unit should be disassembled
and repaired as required.
5. Reinstall wheel and tire assembly.
Disassemble
Limited Slip Differential.
1. Remove ring gear bolts.
NOTICE: Left hand threaded ring gear bolts.
2. Tap
ring gear off differential housing with soft
face hammer.
NOTICE: Mark differential case halves with
alignment mark before disassembly because they
could be assembled
180" off from original position.
3. Remove 8 screws holding differential housing
halves together and separate halves. 4.
Remove pinion shaft, 4 differential pinions,
thrust washers side gears, side gear shims
(if
required), spring plates, and compression springs
from housing. Discard compression springs. New
springs are required for assembly.
5. Mark each cone during disassembly to ensure
that the same brake cone will be assembled with
the same case as originally assembled. If shims
are used they must be marked so that they will be
assembled in original case half.
6. If differential bearings are damaged remove with
tool J-22888-D. (Fig. 15).
Inspect
Disassemble
The inspection procedures for the positraction
differential are the same as those for the standard
rear axle except for the side gear positioning
shims. The side gear positioning shims are used
to control case size.
1. The shims should be free of cracks, nicks, or
burrs.
2. Assemble brake cones in case and measure to
determine correct shim size. Measure the
distance from case mating surface to flat surface
on brake cone when fully seated. Select shim size
from chart below.
DISASSEMBLY INSPECTION CHART
Distance Measured mm (ins) Size
Shim Required
29.51/29.34 (1.162/1/155) no shim required.
29.64/29.54 (1.167/1.163) 0.13 (.005) shim required.
29.77D9.67 (1.172/1.168) 0.25 (.010) shim required.
Assemble
Limited Slip Differential
1.
Lubricate both sides of pinion thrust washers,
pinion bores and differential pinion shafts with
specified rear axle lube before assembling.
2. Install the 4 pinions and spherical thrust washers.
3. Replace original brake cone, shim if required, and
side gear in cap half of differential case. For shim
selection, if needed, refer to Disassembly
Inspection Chart. Apply mixture of molybdenum
disulphide and specified axle oil to face of side
gear.
NOTICE: Do not 1.eplace cone or case
independently. They must be replaced as a unit
together.
4. Install spring
plate on side gear with convex side
towards flange half.
5. Assemble differential pinion shaft, pinions, and
spherical thrust washers into cap half of
differential case with pinions meshing with side
gear. 6.
Install three new concentric thrust springs
through the center of the pinion shaft spider.
7. Assemble second spring plate and springs with
cgnvex side towards springs.
8. Coat other side gear face with molybdenum
disulphide and axle lubricant and install side gear
shim if required. Install brake cone on spring
plate.
9. Install
flange half of case on top of assembly with
oil channels aligned.
10. Install
two bolts through cases
180" apart and
tighten finger tight.
11. Axle shafts are used to align the side gear and
brake cone splines. Put a clamp on one axle shaft
so 75 mm (3 inches) extends beyond clamp.
Install differential housing onto axle shaft splines,
flanged half first.
12. Install other axle shaft through cap side of
differential case and align side gear and cone
splines.
13. Install remaining
bolts and tighten to specified
torque.
14. Install
ring gear and tighten bolts to specified
torque.

REAR AXLE 481-19
15. Press differential bearings on with tool J-21784 gear
and cone splines will occur, preventing
(Fig. 16). assembly
of remaining axle shaft. If this occurred,
16. Install assembled case into carrier following the repeat
assembly steps
11 and 12.
same procedures as developed for standard
differential.
Important
17. Installation of axle bearings and axles is the same
as standard axles. CAUTION: Do not run engine with
transmission engaged and only one
rn Important rear
wheel of vehicle elevated if rear
axle is equipped with limited slip
NOTICE:
After installing the limited slip differential. The other rear wheel will
differential in the carrier housing, be sure that both drive if in contact with the ground.
axle shafts are assembled before rotating either This action can result in damage to
axle shafts. If rotation of either axle shaft occurs the equipment or injury to the
before other is in position, misalignment of the side operator.
SPECIFICATIONS
Bolt Torque
Ring Gear Bolts
................................................................................... 13 7 N-m (101 lb. ft.)
......................................................................................... Bearing Cap Bolts 52 N-m (40
lb. ft.)
Rear Cover Bolts
........................ .. ............................................................. 26 N-m (20 lb. ft.)
........................................................................................................ Breather 14 N-m (10 Ib. ft.)
Brake Backing Plate Bolts
........................................................................... 48 N-m (36 lb. ft.)
Mounting Screws
...................... .. ............................................................... 40 N-m (30 lb. ft.)
............................................................. . Screw, Brake Line Bracket to Frame 1 1 N m (8 lb. ft.)
.......................................................... ....................... Case Half Bolt Torque 38 N.m (29 lb.
ft.)
.......................... Axle Shaft Retainer Nuts .................................... .... 46 N . m Disc (35 lb. ft.)
Bearing
Loads
Side Bearings .............................................................................. 1-3 N em (New) (10-25 lbs. in.) ' 0.5-1 N-m (Used) (6-12 lbs. in.)
............................................................. Differential Bearings 1.1-2.8 N. m (~ew) (10-25 lb.
in.)
0.5-1.4
N.m (Used) (5-12 lb. in.)
............................................................................. Hypoid Pinion 1-3 N.m (New)
(12-25 lb. in.)
0.5-1
N.m (Used) (6-12 lb. in.)
End Play
....................................... Axle Shaft (New Bearing) 0.04.mm - 0.048mm (0.001 6 - 0.0019 in.)
........................................................................ (Used Bearing) 0.076mm (0.003 in.)
Run-Out Specifications
.......................................... Differential Case/Ring Gear Mating Surface 0.05
mm (0.002") max. ................................................... ........................... Ring Gear Runout ............. 0 1 (0.005 ")
Ring Gear Backlash .......................................................... O.10mm-O.19mm (0.004 to 0.007")
Lubricant
....................... ................................................... GM Part 1050010 .. 1.7 Liters (1.8 Quarts)

REAR AXLE 4B-3
Noise which originates in other places cannot be
corrected by adjustment or replacement of parts in the
differential. It should also be remembered that rear
axle gears, like any other mechanical device, are not
absolutely quiet and should be accepted as being
commercially quiet unless some abnormal noise is
present.
To make a systematic check for axle noise under
standard conditions, observe the following:
1. Select a level smooth asphalt road to reduce tire
noise and body drumming.
2. Check rear axle lubricant to assure correct level,
then drive car far enough to thoroughly warm up
rear axle lubricant.
3. Note speed and RPM at which noise occurs. Then
stop car and with automatic transmission in neutral,
run engine slowly up and down through engine speeds, corresponding to car speed at which noise
was most pronounced, to determine if it is caused by
exhaust, muffler roar or other engine conditions.
4. Tire noise changes with different road surfaces,
but rear axle noise does not. Temporarily
inflating all tires to approximately 50 pounds
pressure for
test purposes only will materially
alter noise caused by tires, but will not affect noise
caused by rear axle. Rear axle noise usually stops
when coasting at speeds under 30 miles per hour;
however, tire noise continues, but with lower
tone, as car speed is reduced. Rear axle noise
usually changes when comparing acceleration
and coast, but tire noise remains about the same.
Distinguish between tire noise and rear axle noise
by noting if noise varies with various speeds or
sudden acceleration and deceleration; exhaust
and axle noise show variations under these
conditions while tire noise remains constant and
is more pronounced at speeds of 20 to 30 miles
per hour. Further check for tire noise by driving
car over smooth pavements or dirt roads (not
gravel) with tires at normal pressure. If noise is
caused by tires, it will noticeably change or
disappear and reappear with changes in road
surface.
5. Loose or rough front wheel bearings will cause
noise which may be confused with rear axle
noises; however, front wheel bearing noise does
not change when comparing drive and coast.
Light application of brakes while holding car
speed steady will often cause wheel bearing noise
to diminish, as this takes some weight off the
bearing. Front wheel bearings may be easily
checked for noise by jacking up the wheels and
spinning them, also by shaking wheels to
determine if bearings are loose.
6. Rear suspension rubber bushings and spring
insulators dampen out rear axle noise when
correctly installed. Check to see that no metallic
contact exists between the spring and spring
opening in frame or between upper and lower
control arm bushings and frame or axle housing
brackets.
Metal-to-metal contact at those points
may result in telegraphing road noise and normal axle
noise which would not be objectionable if
dampened by bushings.
AXLE NOISES
Gear Noise
After the noise has been determined as being in
the
axle by following the above appraisal procedure,
the type of axle noise should be determined to aid in
maki~~g repairs if necessary.
Gear noise (whine) is audible from 20 to
55 mph
under four driving conditions:
1. Drive - Acceleration or heavy pull.
2. Road Load - Car driving load or constant speed.
3. Float
- Using
enough throttle to keep the car from
driving the engine
- car slows down gradually but
engine still pulls slightly.
4. Coast
- Throttle closed and car in gear. Gear
noise most frequently has periods where noise is
more prominent, usually 30 to 40 mph and 50 to
55 mph.
Bearing Noise
Bad bearings generally produce more of a rough
growl or grating sound, rather than the whine typical
of gear noise. Bearing noise frequently "wow-wows" at
bearing rpm, indicating a defective pinion or rear axle
case side bearing. This noise could easily be confused
with rear wheel bearing noise. Inspect and replace as
required.
Rear Wheel Bearing Noise
A rough rear wheel bearing produces a noise
which continues with car coasting at low speed and
transmission in neutral. Noise may diminish some by
gentle braking. With rear wheels jacked up, spin rear
wheels by hand while listening at hubs for evidence of
rough (noisy) wheel bearing.
I(noclc At Low Speeds
Low speed knock can be caused by worn
universal joints or a side gear hub counterbore in a case
that has worn oversize. Inspect and replace universal
joint or case and side gear as required.
Baclclash Clunk
Excessive clunk with acceleration and
deceleration is caused by worn differential pinion shaft,
excessive clearance between axle shaft and side gear
splines, excessive clearance between side gear hub and
counterbore in case worn pinion and side gear teeth,
worn thrust washers and excessive drive pinion and
rear gear backlash. Remove worn parts and replace as
required, selecting close fitting parts when possible.
Adjust pinion and ring gear backlash.
REAR AXLE STANDARD AND LIMITED-SLIP
1. Noise is the same in "Drive" or "Coast".
a. Road noise.
b. Tire noise.
c. Front wheel bearing noise.

4B-4 REAR AXLE
d. Incorrect driveline angle.
Noise changes on a different type of road.
a. Road noise.
b. Tire noise.
Noise tone lowers as car speed is lowered.
a. Tire noise.
Similar noise is produced with car standing and
driving.
a. Engine noise.
b. Transmission noise.
Vibration. a. Rough rear wheel bearing.
b. Unbalanced
or damaged propeller shaft.
c. Tire unbalance.
d. Worn
universal joint in propeller shaft.
e. Incorrect driveline angle.
f. Mis-indexed propeller shaft at pinion
flange.
g. Pinion
flange
runout too great.
A knock or click approximately every two
revolutions of the rear wheel.
a. A rear wheel bearing.
Noise most pronounced on turns.
a. Rear
axle side gear and pinion noise.
A continuous low pitch whirring or scraping
noise starting at relatively low speed.
a. Pinion bearing noise.
Drive noise, coast noise or float noise.
a. Ring and
pinion gear noise.
Clunk on acceleration or deceleration.
a. Worn rear
axle pinion shaft in case or side
gear hub counterbore in case worn oversize.
b. Insufficient
lubrication on propeller shaft
slip yoke.
c. Worn U-joints on
propeller shaft. Front or
rear.
Groan in "Forward" or "Reverse".
a. Wrong
or contaminated lube in rear axle.
b. Worn bushings.
Chatter on turns.
a. Wrong
or contaminated lube in rear axle.
b. Clutch
cone worn and/or
spring(s) worn.
Clunk or knock on rough road operation.
a. Excessive end play of axle shafts to
differential cross shaft.
b. Worn bushings.
PRE-REPAIR INVESTIGATION AND TROUBLE
DIAGNOSIS
A careful1 diagnosis of the rear axle prior to
disassembly will often reveal valuable information as to
the extent and type of repairs or adjustments necessary.
Since frequent causes of axle noises are improper
backlash, pinion bearing pre-load, or side bearing
pre-load, or a combination, a few simple adjustments
may be all that are necessary to correct a problem.
Therefore, before removing the rear axle from the
housing, the following checks should be made with the
results recorded and analyzed:
1) Backlash; 2) Total Assembly
Preload; 3) Tooth Contact Pattern Test;
4)
Fluid Level; and 5) Fluid Contamination.
Use care at all times to keep dirt and other foreign
matter, such as grinder dust, soot or sand, away from
differential to prevent possibility of subsequent failure.
The pinion and ring gear must be completely
assembled, installed and all pre-load and backlash
adjustments completed prior to the start of this method
of pinion depth setting. The following procedure can
be used in place of the gage method of pinion depth
setting.
Gear Tooth Nomenclature
The side of the ring gear tooth which curves
outward, or is convex, is referred to as the "drive" side.
The concave side is the "coast" side. The end of the
tooth nearest center of ring gear is referred to as the
"toe" end. The end of the tooth farthest away from the
center is the "heel" end. Toe end of tooth is smaller
than heel end.
It is very important that tooth contact be tested
before the rear axle carrier assembly is disassembled.
Variations in the carrier or pinion rear bearing may
cause the pinion to be too far away from, or close to,
the ring gear. Thus, the tooth contact must be tested
and corrected, if necessary, or the gears may be noisy.
Tooth Contact Pattern Test
1. Wipe oil out of carrier and carefully clean each
tooth of ring gear.
2. Use gear marking compound part number
1052351 or equivalent and apply this mixture
sparingly to all ring gear teeth, using a medium
stiff brush. When properly used, the area of
pinion tooth contact will be visible when hand
load is applied.
3. Tighten bearing cap bolts to 75
N.m (55 lb. ft.).
4. Expand
brake shoes using parking brake cables
until a torque of 54 to
70 N-m (40-50 lb. ft.) is
required to turn the pinion.
A test made without loading the gears will not
give a satisfactory pattern. Turn pinion flange
with wrench so that ring gear rotates one full
revolution, then reverse rotation so that ring gear
rotates one revolution in opposite direction.
5. Observe
pattern on ring gear teeth and compare
with Fig. 3.
Effects of Increasing Load on Teeth Contact
Pattern
When "load" on ring and pinion gear is
increased, such as when car is accelerated forward
from standstill or from normal drive, the tooth contact
will tend to spread out and, under very heavy load, will
extend from near toe to near heel on the drive side. The
entire contact also tends to shift toward heel under
increasingly heavier loads and will become somewhat
broader with respect to tops and bottoms of teeth. The
patterns obtained by this tooth contact pattern test
approximate a light load and, for this reason, they will
extend only about halfway.

4B-8 REAR AXLE
GENERAL lNFORMATlON
A universal joint connects the rear end of the
propeller shaft to a pinion flange, having a splined end
which fits over and drives the
hypoid pinion gear. The
housing is attached to the underbody through a center
bearing support. Inside the housing, an extension shaft
is splined to the drive pinion at the rear end, and to the
companion flange at the other end. Two pre-loaded
tapered roller bearings support the
hypoid pinion gear
in the carrier. The inner race of the rear bearing is a
light press fit on the pinion stem. The inner race of the
front bearing combines a light press fit to a close sliding
fit on the pinion flange end of the pinion stem. The
outer race of each bearing is pressed against a shoulder
recessed in the carrier. Tightening the pinion nut
compresses a collapsible spacer which bears against the
inner race of the front bearing and a shoulder on the
pinion stem. This spacer is used to enable accurate
bearing pre-load adjustment and
maintain a pre-load
on both front and rear pinion bearings. Adjustment of the
fore and aft position of the pinion is obtained by
placing
shims between the head of the drive pinion and
the rear pinion bearing.
The rear axle case is of
one-piece construction and is supported in the carrier
by two tapered roller side bearings. These are
pre-loaded by inserting
shims between the bearings and
the carrier. The rear axle case assembly is positioned
for proper ring gear to pinion backlash by varying the
shin1 thickness from side to side. The ring gear is bolted
to the case. Two side gears have splined bores for
driving the axle shafts. They are positioned to turn in
counterbored cavities in the case. The two rear axle
pinions have
smooth bores and are held in position by
a solid pinion cross shaft, mounted and locked in the
rear axle case. All four gears are in
mesh with each
other and because the pinion gears turn freely
on their
shaft, they act as idler gears when the rear wheels are
turning at different speeds. The pinions and side gears
are backed by steel thrust washers.
LIMITED-SLIP REAR AXLE
The operation of the Limited-Slip differential is
the same as the standard differential, except that there
is additional friction provided by the clutches or cones.
Under ordinary driving and cornering conditions, the
clutches or cones slip, allowing the outside wheel to
turn faster than the inner. Under poor traction
conditions, such as ice, snow, or loose gravel under one
driving wheel, the increased friction provided by the clutches
or cones increases the driving torque available
to the wheel with the better traction. The clutches or
cones are spring loaded to provide the increased
driving torque under extremely low traction
conditions.
Most rear axle service repairs can be made with
the rear axle assembly in the car, by raising the rear end
of the car with the rear axle hanging
on the shock
absorbers.
ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
CARRIER COVER AND GASKET
Remove or Disconnect
1. Having a container in place, remove cover bolts
and pry cover loose to drain lubricant.
2. Make sure both gasket sealing surfaces are clean.
Install or Connect
Use sealant
1052366 or cover gasket
only.
1. Torque cover bolts in a crosswise pattern to
insure uniform draw on gasket. Torque
27 N.m
(20 Ib.fr.).
2. Fill with lubricant to a level within 4.5mm (3116")
or filler plug hole. Refer to specifications for correct
lubricant usage and quantity.
Axle Shaft
a Remove or Disconnect
1. Raise car and remove wheel and brake drum.
2. Clean all dirt from area of carrier.
3. Remove bolts and differential carrier cover and
allow lubricant to drain.
4. Remove pinion shaft lock screw and pinion shaft.
1 -PINION SHAFT 2-PINION SHAFT 1
SCREW 520122 48
Fig. 401 Pinion Shaft Lock Bolt
5. Push flanged end of axlc shalt inward to pcrmil
removal of "C" locks, thcn rcmovc axlc shafts
being
careful not to cl;uii~~gc oil scal (Fig. 402).
6. Remove axlc shaft from housing, bcing curcl'ul not
to
damage oil scal.

REAR AXLE 48-9
lnstall or Connect
1. Slide axle shaft into place taking care that splines
on end of shaft do not damage oil seal and that
they engage with splines of rear axle side gear.
2. Install
axle shaft
"C" lock on bottom end of axle
shaft and push shaft outward so that shaft lock
seats in counterbore of rear axle side gear.
3. Position
rear axle pinion shaft through case and
pinions, aligning hole in shaft with lock screw
hole. Install lock screw and torque to 27
N-m (20
1b.ft.l
4. using a new gasket, install carrier cover and
torque
bolts to 27 N-m (20 1b.ft.). Fig. 403 Axle Shaft Bearing and Seal Remover
5. Fill
axle with lubricant to a level within 9.5mm
(3/8") of filler hole. See specifications for proper
lubricant.
6. Install brake drum and wheel.
7. Lower
car and test operation of axle.
Fig. 402 Axle Shaft "C" Locks
Oil Seal and/or Bearing (With Axle Shaft
Removed)
Remove or Disconnect
1. Remove seal
from housing with a pry bar behind
steel case of seal, being careful not to damage
housing.
1 --BEARING 2- DRIVE HANDLE J-8092
3-AXLE SHAFT BEARING INSTALLER J-23765
5201 25-48
Fig. 404 Axle Shaft Bearing Installer
Fig.
405 Installing Axle Shaft Seal
Pinion Oil Seal
Remove or Disconnect
I
2.
Install axle shaft bearing remover J 22813-01 and 1. Mark the drive shaft and pinion flange so they I
remove bearing and seal. See Fig. 403. can
be reassembled in the same position. I
Install or Connect
1. Lubricate new bearing with gear lubricant and in-
stall bearing so that tool bottoms against shoulder in
housing, using tools
5-23765 and 5-8092. See Fig.
404.
2. Lubricate new seal lips with gear lubricant. Position
seal on tool and position
seal into housing bore.
Tap seal into place so that it is flush with axle tube
Fig. 405. 2.
With rear
wheels off floor, turn rear wheels and
tap brake backing plates with a soft hammer to
ensure that brakes are free.
3. Mark
the position of the pinion flange, pinion
shaft and nut so the proper pinion bearing
pre-load can be maintained.
4. Remove pinion flange nut and washer.
5. With suitable container in place to hold fluid,
remove pinion flange.

REAR AXLE 48-1 1
Rear Wheel Bolt
Remove or Disconnect 1.
1. Raise vehicle on hoist allowing axle to hang
freely. 2.
2. Remove
wheel, tire and brake drum.
3. Using Tool J 6627-A press out stud.
Fig. 4 10 Removing Wheel Bolt
REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY
Install or Connect
Fig. 4 11 Installing Wheel Bolt
UNIT REPAIR
Remove or Disconnect
Place new stud in axle flange hole. Slightly start
stud serrations in hole by firmly pressing back of
stud with your hand.
Place a flat washer on the stud and install a lug
nut with flat side first (tapered face outboard).
Tighten on lug nut drawing stud into flange until
stud head is bottomed on back side of flange.
Remove lug nut.
Reinstall brake drum (or rotor and caliper),
wheel and tire.
Lower vehicle and remove from hoist.
It is not necessary to remove the rear axle
assembly for any normal repairs. However, if the
housing is damaged, the rear axle assembly may be
removed and installed using the following procedure.
Hoist car and support at frame. Hoist must
remain under rear axle housing.
Disconnect both shock absorbers.
Remove bolt securing left side of track bar to
axle.
Remove brake line junction block bolt at axle
housing, then disconnect brake lines at junction
block.
Lower rear axle assembly on hoist and remove
springs.
Remove rear wheels and drums.
Remove rear axle cover and drain lube.
Remove axle shafts.
Disconnect brake lines from axle housing clips.
Remove brake backing plates.
Disconnect lower control arms from axle
housing.
Disconnect torque arm at axle.
Mark propeller shaft and companion flange and
disconnect shaft and support out of the way.
Remove rear axle housing.
Install or Connect
Install rear axle housing.
Install propeller shaft aligning marks made at
time of removal.
Connect torque arm to axle.
Connect lower control arms to axle.
Install brake backing plates.
Connect brake lines to axle housing.
Install axle shafts.
Install axle housing cover.
Install rear wheels and drums.
Raise axle and install springs.
Install brake line to junction block, then mount
junction block on axle housing.
Install track bar to axle.
Connect shock absorbers.
Fill axle and bleed brake system.
Remove supports and lower car.
Disassembly of Rear Axle Assembly
Before attempting any service procedures the
technician must know what type rear axle is to be
serviced. Refer to chart (Rear Axle Codes And
Identification) to identify codes, ring gear size, and
ratios. Remember that all ring gear bolts have L.H.
threads.
Most rear axle service repairs can be made by
supporting the car by the frame with the axle housing
supported and lowered to its lowest travel. On some