Genuine 1991 Pontiac Firebird Axle Shaft

1991 Pontiac Firebird Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to Identify and Service the Rear Axle Shaft on 1991 Pontiac Firebird?

  A: The rear axle also comes as a hypoid, semi-floating type, which has a differential carrier from a casting in combination with a pressed steel cover and the axle tubes are made of steel. Because of need of special tools and the fact that it is not possible to service or repair individual parts of the differential as they are no longer available in the market but complete rear axle assemblies only, such operations are restricted. It has an available Posi-traction (limited slip) differential unit, which incorporates clutch cones or plates and springs to reduce the rotation of the differential case to an extent that one wheel has a traction while applying more force to the pinion gears so as to balance the rotor power of the axleshaft driving the wheel with tractive force. To accomplish some other tasks, particularly the withdrawal of the axle-shafts, it is necessary to ascertain the ''axle identification number'' stamped on the forward face of the right-hand axle tube, 3 inches from the differential cover after washing off the dust. A typical General Motors axle code for 1982 might read: 2 AB 0 103 2 This refers to axle code where 2 AB stand for the initial number and letters, manufacturer character 0, date of manufacture in the three figures 103 and finally the shift number 2. It is with the help of the axle code and the chart provided alongside that it is possible to identify the gear ratio of the ring and pinion gears assembled to the vehicle. All correspondence of customers with the dealer or the factory about any inquiries relating to the axle assembly should provide the complete code letters and build date numbers.