Drive Axles: Overhaul: Disassembly
- With carrier removed, mount unit upright in a vise and mark bearing caps for correct reassembly. Remove bearing cap bolts, washers and caps. Assemble suitable axle stretcher (18G-131) on unit casing and stretch unit case by tightening turnbuckle three or four flats until differential carrier can be levered out and bearing shims and caps removed.CAUTION: To avoid damaging case, do not spread any more than necessary. Maximum stretch is 0.008" (0.20 mm). Do not pry against stretcher.
- Remove gear carrier bearing caps and mark ring gear and carrier to ensure correct replacement. Remove ring gear retaining bolts and ring gear. Drive out pinion shaft locking pin, then drive out pinion shaft. Remove pinion gears and thrust washers. Remove differential gears and thrust washers. Remove drive flange nut cotter pin and drive flange nut. Using suitable puller, remove drive flange.
- Press out drive pinion and remove pinion bearing collapsible spacer and washer. Using suitable press tools, remove inner bearing from pinion. Remove pinion head washer and drive out pinion outer bearing race, bearing, and seal. Drive out pinion inner bearing race.