Axle Shaft: Service and Repair

Fig. 1. Integral Carrier Rear Axle Exploded View, (Type 1). Early Production 1982 w/ 7-1/4 Inch Ring Gear:

TYPE 1
1. With wheel removed, remove clips holding brake drum on wheel studs and remove drum.
2. Disconnect brake lines at wheel cylinders.
3. Using access hole in axle flange, remove retainer nuts from end of housing.
4. Remove axle shaft and brake assembly, using a slide hammer-type puller.
5. Remove brake assembly from axle shaft with care to avoid damaging shaft in seal contact area.
6. Remove oil seal from axle housing.
7. Remove axle shaft bearings only when necessary. Discard bearings, if removed.
8. Axle shaft endplay is pre-set and not adjustable. Endplay is accomplished by the amount of endplay built into the bearings. The two axle housing brake support plate gaskets on each side are used for sealing purposes only. Replace gaskets.
9. Press bearing and collar on shaft firmly against shoulders on shaft.
10. Install new oil seal in housing.
11. Install brake assembly on axle housing and carefully slide axle shaft through oil seal and into side gear splines.
12. Tap end of axle shaft lightly to position axle shaft bearing into bearing bore and attach retainer plate to housing.
13. Install brake drums and wheels.

Fig. 2 integral carrier rear axle exploded view, (type 2). Late 1982 & 1983---88 w/7-1/4 inch ring gear:

Fig. 3 Integral carrier rear axle exploded view, (type 3). Models w/8-1/4 inch ring gear:

Fig. 4 Axle shaft `C' lock installation:

TYPES 2 & 3
1. With wheel and brake drum removed, or caliper and rotor assembly removed, loosen differential housing cover and drain lubricant. Remove cover.
2. Turn differential case to make pinion shaft lock screw accessible and remove lock screw and shaft.
3. Push axle shaft inward toward center of car and remove "C" washer from groove in axle shaft.
4. Remove axle shaft from housing, being careful not to damage the axle bearing, which will remain in the housing.
5. The axle bearing and/or seal can now be removed if necessary.
6. Reverse procedure to install.