Questions About Axle Shaft Replacement

[Aaron4TAMU]

I've never done any drivetrain work before and I'm only going to have one afternoon to do this work, otherwise I would play it by it by feel. So here is a few questions that you all may be able to help me with.

1) When removing the wheel bearing and seal is it "mandatory" to have any "special" tools, or would it be possible to do this with basic tools?

2) The repair manual says to add 4 fl. oz. of GM differential lubricant. NAPA sells a 7 oz. container. Would it hurt to only use 3.5 oz. of this lubricant so I can have two fills out of the bottle?

3) Is there anything else other than the wheel bearing and seal I should inspect/replace?

4) When I fill the housing with gear lubricant, should I just fill it untill a small amount of fluid seeps out?

5) Are there any other tips anyone could give me that you realize you should have done the first time you encountered it (as you were cursing and saying "I should have done that!")

Thanks for listening.

Thanks in advance,
Aaron

[M3EATER - GG '00 WS6 T/A]

1) Get the car on jack stands with the axle hanging free.

2) Remove the rear diff cover (get a new gasket) and drain the fluid. You may have to remove one end of the panhard bar... can't remember, for clearance.

3) Remove the wheel.

4) Remove the brake caliper.

5) Remove the rotor.

6) Assuming that you have a posi diff.... umm I can't remember what you have to undo to either pull the pinion cross-shaft or whatever else depending on what type of posi you have. I think the Eaton clutch type still uses a standard pinion cross-shaft that is secured with a small bolt through the carrier. If this is what you have, remove the bolt & carefully pull the cross-shaft out. be carefull to not turn the axles at this point so that you don't dislodge the pinion and side (spider) gear or clutch packs.

7) Slightly push the axle in and remove the c-clip from the end of the axle.

8) Pull the axle out of the housing.

9) Use a seal puller or screw driver to remove the axle seal.

10) You will need a slide hammer with two or three internal jaws to go through the bearing and grip the back side ... and then pull it out.

11) Install the new bearing with a socket that fits the outside diameter of the bearing .... Lube the bearing and drive the bearing in with a hammer on the socket .... on the bearing.

12) Install the seal in the same manner.

13) Lube the lips of the seal and gently slide the axle in and engage the end splines with the side gear.

14) slide the c-clip on and re-install the cross-shaft (or what ever is appropriate for your style of posi.

15) Install new gasket and rear cover.

16) Fill with lube untill it comes out of the fill hole. Rotate the axles a bit and re-check the level. I would not recommend under filling it. The axle bearings and the front pinion bearing may suffer.

17) install the brakes and anything else that was removed...

Done.

Gordon
PPC

[Aaron4TAMU]

Wow, thanks for the help. I feel a lot more confident now that someone that has apparently done this before has shared the wisdom. Only have one more question, I'm currently staying in a hotel and I only have one jack available to me right now. Is it possible to change the shaft with just the affected side jacked up?

Thanks,
Aaron

[M3EATER - GG '00 WS6 T/A]

Aaron,
You'll have trouble getting the rear cover off without the axle assembly hanging at full droop on both sides. It's way up there otherwise.

jaclkit up and take a look.... see if you think you can get the cover off and get inside.

[mbigd73]

hey

is the car drivable if you can get it here we can do it at my house lmk i have tools and jack stands and cold beer