1988 PONTIAC FIERO oil

REAR AXLE 4B1-13
1-DIFF. CASE
2-SIDE GEAR
(2)
3-THRUST WASHER (S. G.) (2)
4-DIFF. CASE
5-PINION CROSS
SHAFT
(1)
6-RETAINER PINS (3)
7-PINION SHAFT
(SHORT) (2)
8-THRUST WASHERS (DIFF PINION) (4)
9-DIFF. PINIONS (4)
10-THRUST BLOCK
(1) I
11-SIDE CASE
BEARINGS
I 52001 3-481
Fig. 14 Standard Differential Assembly
6. Differential case.
lmportant
a. Check
the casting for general soundness.
b. If
the bearings are removed, journals must
be free from tears as damaged journals
result in premature bearing failures. The
bearing abutment faces on the housing must
be free from dirt and burrs. The ring gear
pilot and mounting face should be clean and
free from tears and burrs.
c. The
mating surfaces of the two housing
halves should be clean and free from burrs.
d. The
thrust surfaces for the side gears and
pinions should be examined for excessive
wear.
e. The
side gear journal bores should be clean
and free from scores.
f. The cross shaft bores should not be oval.
7. Carrier
lmportant
a. Check
the castings all over for general
soundness. All bearing bores and abutment
faces must be clean and free from burrs.
b. Examine
oil passages and ensure they are
free from burrs.
c. Bore for
pinion seal should be free from
tears.
d. Rear
cover face and bolt holes should be
checked for damage.

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.

4B1-20 REAR AXLE
1 J 21 579 AXLE SHAFT REMOVER 13. J 78 17 FRONT PINION BEARING RACE
INSTALLER
2.
J 21784 SlDE 8EARlNG INSTALLER 14. J 23597-1 BODY PlNlON SETTING GAGE
3. J 23597-12 REAR BEARING
15. J 8 001 DIAL INDICATOR ASSEMBLY
4. J 35119 PlNlON OIL SEAL INSTALLER
16.
J 351 18-5 SPACER 5 J 6197-A REAR BEARING CUP INSTALLER
17. J 8092 DRIVER HANDLE
6 J 2619-01 SLIDE HAMMER ASSEMBLY
18
J 8853-01 AXLE BEARING AND RETAINER
7. J 6133-01 REAR PlNlON BEARING
INSTALLER INSTALLER
19. J 21493-0 REAR
PlNlON BEARING REMOVER
8. J 22888-43 SIDE CASE BEARING PULLER
20.
J 8614-01 PlNlON FLANGE HOLDER
9. J 25588 SlDE BEARING SHIM INSTALLER
11. J 21777-43 PlNlON SETTING GAGE 10. J 6627-A WHEEL STUD REMOVER
22
J 21777-45 PlNlON SETTING GAGE SHAFT DISCS
11 J 351 18 -2 GAUGE PLATE
23.
J 22912-01 AXLE BEARING AND RETAINER REMOVER
12. J 35117 FILLER PLUG REMOVAL TOOL
24.
J 21777-42 FRONT PlNlON BEARING PILOT
J10005-401-F
Fig. 25 Special Tools

REAR AXLE 4B-1
SECTION 4B
REAR AXLE
NOTICE: All rear axle attaching fasteners are an necessary.
Do not use a replacement part of lesser
important part in that they could affect the quality
or substitute design. Torque values must
performance of vital parts and systems, and/or be
used as specified during reassembly to assure
could result in major repair expense. They must proper retention
of all parts. (There is to be no
be replaced with one of the same part number or welding
as it may result in extensive damage and
with an equivalent part if replacement becomes weakening
of the metal.)
CONTENTS
General Description .................................. 4B-1
Standard Rear Axle ................... .. ............ 4B- 1
Diagnosis and Testing ............................... 4B-1
Axle Noises ......................... .. ................ 4B-3
Gear Noise ...................... .. .................. 4B-3
Bearing Noise ........................................ 4B-3
Rear Wheel Bearing Noise ....................... 4B-3
Knock at Low Speeds ............................. 4B-3
Backlash Clunk ...................................... 4B-3
Rear Axle Standard and Limited Slip .......... 4B-3
Pre-Repair Investigation and Trouble
Diagnosis
................................................. 4B-4
Gear Tooth Nomenclature ....................... 4B-4
Tooth Contact Pattern Test ..................... 4B-4
Effects of Increasing Load on
Teeth Contact Pattern
.......................... 4B-4
Adjustments Affecting Tooth
Contact
.................................................. 4B-6
Effects of Pinion Position on Tooth
Pattern
................... ... .................... 4B-6
General information ....................... .. ..... 4B-8
Limited-Slip Rear Axle ............................... 4B-8
On-Vehicle Service ............................. .. ....... 4B-8
Carrier Cover and Gasket .......................... 4B-8
............................................. Axle Shaft 4B-8
Oil Seal and/or Bearing (With
Axle Shaft Removed)
............................. 4B-9
........................................ Pinion Oil Seal 4B-9
........................................... Pinion Flange 4B- 10
..................................... Rear Wheel Bolt 4B- 1 1
.................................................... Unit Repair 4B-1 1
..................................... Rear Axle Assembly 4B- 1 1
Disassembly of Rear Axle
............................................... Assembly 4B- 1 1
.. ..................................... Case Assembly ... 4B- 12
Drive Pinion, Bearing and Races ............. 4B- 12
............................... Bearing Replacement 4B- 12
...................... Setting Drive Pinion Depth 4B- 13
........................................ Rear Axle Case 4B- 14
Side Bearing Preload Adjustment ............ 4B- 15
.................................................. Drive Pinion 4B- 16
Rear Axle Backlash Adjustment .............. 4B- 17
........... Limited Slip Rear Axle (Cone Type) 4B-17
...................................... Auburn Cone Type 4B- 18
.............................................. Specifications 4B- 19
.............................................. Special Tools 4B-20
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
STANDARD REAR AXLE Operation
The rear axle assembly is of the semi-floating type
in which the car weight is carried on the axle housing.
The rear axle assembly is designed for use with an open
drive line and coil springs. The rear axle has a
hypoid
type ring gear and pinion with the centerline of the
pinion gear below the centerline of the ring gear.
All parts necessary to transmit power from the
propeller shaft to the rear wheels are enclosed in a When
the vehicle turns a corner, the outer rear
wheel must turn faster than the inner wheel. The inner
wheel, turning slower than the outer wheel, slows its
differential side gear (as the axle shaft is splined to the
side gear) and the differential pinion gears will roll
around the slowed differential side gear, driving the
other differential side gear and wheel faster.
DIAGNOSIS AND "TESTING
salisbury type axle housing (a carrier casting with tubes Many
noises reported as coming from the rear
pressed and welded into the carrier to form a complete axle assembly actually
originate from other sources
carrier and tube assembly). A removable steel cover such as
tires, road surfaces, wheel bearings, engine,
bolted to the rear of the carrier permits service of the transmission,
muffler or body drumming. A thorough
rear axle without removing the entire assembly from and
careful check should be made to determine the
the car. source
of the noise before disassembling the rear axle.

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.