Chevrolet 22943112 Rear Axle Shaft

To remove and install components in the front differential of selectable 4WD systems, first, loosen the wheel lug nuts and raise the vehicle securely on jackstands. Remove the right front wheel and the differential carrier splash shield if equipped. Drain the lubricant from the front differential. For 4WD systems, unbolt the right driveaxle from the axleshaft flange and support it out of the way. Remove the front axle shift motor and, if applicable, disconnect the front stabilizer link or remove the front shock absorber/coil spring assembly. On 2500/3500 models, remove the front axle bracket bolts and slide the bracket forward for additional clearance. Support the differential carrier with a floor jack and block of wood. Remove the bolts securing the axle tube to the differential carrier and the nuts attaching the tube to its support bracket. Carefully remove the output shaft tube, ensuring no components fall out. Mount the tube in a vise and remove the internal components. Measure and remove the axleshaft bearing using a slide hammer and bearing remover attachment. For installation, install the bearing to the original depth using a bearing driver or socket, then install a new seal and deflector, lubricating the seal lips with grease. Carefully drive in the axleshaft, followed by the internal components. Apply RTV sealant to the tube-to-differential housing mating surface, and install the tube assembly, tightening bolts and nuts to specified torques. Reinstall the driveaxle, front axle shift motor, and fill the differential with lubricant. For AWD systems, remove the stabilizer bar link and, if applicable, the front shock absorber. Unbolt the right driveaxle from the axleshaft flange, supporting it properly. Support the differential carrier with a floor jack and a block of wood. Remove nuts attaching the axle shaft to its support bracket and the bolts securing the axle shaft flange to the differential carrier. Use a brass punch and hammer to separate the axle shaft from the differential case side gear. Remove the inner axle shaft assembly and axle shaft. Replace the inner seal and bearing with a special tool, then apply RTV sealant to the differential sealing surface and install the inner axle shaft housing assembly. Install the axle shaft to the support bracket and align the splines with the differential side gear. Tap the axle shaft with a mallet until the ring (clip) aligns with the groove in the differential case side gear. Install the axle shaft to the inner flange and tighten the bolts. Reinstall the stabilizer link, fill the differential with lubricant, install the differential carrier splash shield, and finally, install the wheel and lug nuts. Lower the vehicle, tighten the lug nuts, and check for proper operation.

The rear axle assembly of the vehicle is a hypoid, semi-floating type with a differential that allows the outer rear wheel to turn at a higher speed than the inner tire when going around a corner. An optional locking limited-slip rear axle is also available, which slows the rotation of the differential case when one wheel loses traction. On 4WD models, a fully independent front axle assembly is used with an extension axle shaft on the right side to make up the difference in distance between the differential and the right front wheel. When diagnosing axle problems, it is important to check for other possible causes such as road or tire noise, and to isolate engine and transmission noises. Overhauling the differential requires special tools and is not cost-effective for a do-it-yourselfer.

First, loosen the rear wheel lug nuts, raise the vehicle securely on jackstands, and block the front wheels before removing the wheel and brake disc.

If the stub shaft sticks in the hub splines, tap it with a brass punch and hammer or use a puller to push the driveaxle from the hub.

The first step is to release the parking brake tension.

To check for wear, one can grasp each axle individually and rotate it in both directions while holding the CV joint housings. This allows the person to feel for play that indicates worn splines or sloppy joints. Additionally, it is important to inspect the driveaxle shafts for cracks, dents, and distortion.

Common noises can often be misdiagnosed, and it is crucial to identify the actual source of the noise.

After raising the vehicle and supporting it on jackstands, a jack should be positioned under the rear axle differential housing.

To remove and install components in the front differential for AWD systems, follow these steps: Remove the stabilizer bar link and, if applicable, the front shock absorber. Unbolt the right driveaxle from the axleshaft flange, supporting it properly. Support the differential carrier with a floor jack and a block of wood. Remove nuts attaching the axle shaft to its support bracket and the bolts securing the axle shaft flange to the differential carrier. Use a brass punch and hammer to separate the axle shaft from the differential case side gear. Remove the inner axle shaft assembly and axle shaft. Replace the inner seal and bearing with a special tool, then apply RTV sealant to the differential sealing surface and install the inner axle shaft housing assembly. Install the axle shaft to the support bracket and align the splines with the differential side gear. Tap the axle shaft with a mallet until the ring (clip) aligns with the groove in the differential case side gear. Install the axle shaft to the inner flange and tighten the bolts. Reinstall the stabilizer link, fill the differential with lubricant, install the differential carrier splash shield, and finally, install the wheel and lug nuts. Lower the vehicle, tighten the lug nuts, and check for proper operation.

It is also important to check the driveaxle shafts for cracks, dents, and distortion.

If the vehicle has a differential carrier splash shield, it should be removed after removing the driveaxle/hub nut.

The optional locking limited-slip rear axle slows the rotation of the differential case when one wheel loses traction.

Remove the differential carrier splash shield and drain the lubricant from the front differential.

The next step is to drain the differential lubricant and remove the differential cover.

Remove the lock screw and then take out the pinion shaft.

Lower the axle assembly and remove it from under the vehicle.

Semi-floating axleshafts are supported at the outer end by bearings pressed into the axle tube and are secured in the differential splines by a C-clip.

In 4WD models, an extension axle shaft is used on the right side to make up the difference in distance between the differential and the right front wheel.

If the vehicle has a differential carrier splash shield, it should be removed after removing the driveaxle/hub nut.

The inner end of the driveaxle should be lowered and pulled out of the hub, carefully guiding the driveaxle out from under the vehicle.

The initial steps are to loosen the wheel lug nuts, raise the front of the vehicle, and support it securely on jackstands.

After removing the differential cover, you need to remove the pinion shaft lock screw and withdraw the pinion shaft.

The initial steps to remove and install components in the front differential of selectable 4WD systems are as follows: Loosen the wheel lug nuts. Raise the vehicle securely on jackstands. Remove the right front wheel. Remove the differential carrier splash shield if equipped. Drain the lubricant from the front differential. For 4WD systems, unbolt the right driveaxle from the axleshaft flange and support it out of the way. Remove the front axle shift motor and, if applicable, disconnect the front stabilizer link or remove the front shock absorber/coil spring assembly. On 2500/3500 models, remove the front axle bracket bolts and slide the bracket forward for additional clearance. Support the differential carrier with a floor jack and a block of wood.

The initial steps to remove and install components in the front differential of selectable 4WD systems are as follows: Loosen the wheel lug nuts. Raise the vehicle securely on jackstands. Remove the right front wheel. Remove the differential carrier splash shield if equipped. Drain the lubricant from the front differential. For 4WD systems, unbolt the right driveaxle from the axleshaft flange and support it out of the way. Remove the front axle shift motor and, if applicable, disconnect the front stabilizer link or remove the front shock absorber/coil spring assembly. On 2500/3500 models, remove the front axle bracket bolts and slide the bracket forward for additional clearance. Support the differential carrier with a floor jack and a block of wood.

In 4WD models, an extension axle shaft is used on the right side to make up the difference in distance between the differential and the right front wheel.

After raising the vehicle and securing it on jackstands, you should pry off the hub cover and remove the driveaxle/hub nut while bracing the hub to prevent it from rotating.

The differential allows the outer rear wheel to turn at a higher speed than the inner tire when going around a corner.

It is also important to check the driveaxle shafts for cracks, dents, and distortion.

Power is transmitted through a pair of driveaxles equipped with sliding constant velocity (CV) joints capable of both angular and axial motion.

The final step is to tighten the wheel lug nuts to the proper torque specifications.

The inner ends of the driveaxles are bolted to an axleshaft connected to the differential side gears.

In 4WD models, an extension axle shaft is used on the right side to make up the difference in distance between the differential and the right front wheel.

The initial steps are to loosen the rear wheel lug nuts, raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it securely on jackstands.

After installing the rear axle assembly, the brakes should be bled, the wheels and lug nuts should be installed, and the vehicle should be lowered. Finally, the lug nuts should be tightened to the proper torque specification.

The next step is to drain the differential lubricant and remove the differential cover.

To remove a full-floating axle shaft, you need to remove the bolts attaching the flange to the hub and withdraw the shaft from the housing.

After raising the vehicle and supporting it on jackstands, a jack should be positioned under the rear axle differential housing.

The initial steps are to loosen the rear wheel lug nuts, raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it securely on jackstands.

To remove and install components in the front differential for AWD systems, follow these steps: Remove the stabilizer bar link and, if applicable, the front shock absorber. Unbolt the right driveaxle from the axleshaft flange, supporting it properly. Support the differential carrier with a floor jack and a block of wood. Remove nuts attaching the axle shaft to its support bracket and the bolts securing the axle shaft flange to the differential carrier. Use a brass punch and hammer to separate the axle shaft from the differential case side gear. Remove the inner axle shaft assembly and axle shaft. Replace the inner seal and bearing with a special tool, then apply RTV sealant to the differential sealing surface and install the inner axle shaft housing assembly. Install the axle shaft to the support bracket and align the splines with the differential side gear. Tap the axle shaft with a mallet until the ring (clip) aligns with the groove in the differential case side gear. Install the axle shaft to the inner flange and tighten the bolts. Reinstall the stabilizer link, fill the differential with lubricant, install the differential carrier splash shield, and finally, install the wheel and lug nuts. Lower the vehicle, tighten the lug nuts, and check for proper operation.

To install the semi-floating axle shaft, you should insert the axleshaft into the housing until it engages with the differential side gear, install the C-lock, and insert the pinion shaft.

After removing the differential cover, you need to remove the pinion shaft lock screw and withdraw the pinion shaft.

The outer ends of the driveaxles are equipped with ball-and-cage type CV joints capable of angular but not axial movement.

For coil spring models, the links for the electronic suspension control sensors should be detached, followed by detaching the track bar from the rear axle. The stabilizer bar, coil springs, and upper and lower trailing arms should be disconnected from the axle assembly. Finally, the jack can be lowered under the differential to remove the rear axle assembly.

If a boot is damaged, the CV joint can be disassembled and cleaned, but if any parts are damaged, the entire driveaxle assembly must be replaced as a unit.

The initial steps to remove and install components in the front differential of selectable 4WD systems are as follows: Loosen the wheel lug nuts. Raise the vehicle securely on jackstands. Remove the right front wheel. Remove the differential carrier splash shield if equipped. Drain the lubricant from the front differential. For 4WD systems, unbolt the right driveaxle from the axleshaft flange and support it out of the way. Remove the front axle shift motor and, if applicable, disconnect the front stabilizer link or remove the front shock absorber/coil spring assembly. On 2500/3500 models, remove the front axle bracket bolts and slide the bracket forward for additional clearance. Support the differential carrier with a floor jack and a block of wood.