GM 22874951 Rear Axle Shaft

To remove the rear axle assembly from a vehicle, first loosen the rear wheel lug nuts, raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it securely on jackstands. Then, position a jack under the rear axle differential housing and remove the driveshaft, shock absorbers, vent hose, brake hose, rear brake assemblies, parking brake cables, and rear wheel speed sensors. For leaf spring models, disconnect the spring U-bolts and remove the springplates before lowering the jack under the differential and removing the rear axle assembly. For coil spring models, detach the links for the electronic suspension control sensors, detach the track bar from the rear axle, remove the stabilizer bar, remove the coil springs, and disconnect the upper and lower trailing arms from the axle assembly before lowering the jack under the differential and removing the rear axle assembly. To install the rear axle assembly, follow the reverse order of removal and tighten all suspension and brake fasteners to the torque value specifications. Finally, bleed the brakes, install the wheels and lug nuts, lower the vehicle, and tighten the lug nuts to the proper torque specification.

Loosen the wheel lug nuts before removing the axle shaft of a vehicle. Start by loosening the wheel lug nuts, driving it up to jack stands, and securely supporting it on jackstands. Pry off the hub cover and remove the axle shaft/hub nut, bracing the hub to prevent it from rotating. Remove differential carrier splash shield if equipped and then remove axle shaft-to-axle shaft flange bolts (while having an assistant apply the brake to stop axle shaft from turning). Drop inner end of axle shaft low enough in order to pull stub shaft out of hub, guiding carefully under car as you take out entire axle shaft with other hand. To install an axle shaft , lubricate splines on stubshaft with multipurpose grease then tighten axleshaft/ hub nut (new) and flange bolts according to specified torque values. Then finally fasten wheels using appropriate torque specification for lug nuts.

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 drive axle-to-axle shaft flange bolts should be removed while having an assistant apply the brake to prevent the driveaxle from turning.

To remove and install components in the front differential for 4WD systems, follow these steps: 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.

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.

To remove the semi-floating axle shaft, you need to remove the C-lock from the groove on the inner end of the axleshaft and withdraw the shaft, being careful not to damage the oil seal.

To install the rear axle assembly, the reverse order of removal should be followed. All suspension and brake fasteners should be tightened to the torque value specifications.

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. Then, install the cover, fill the differential with lubricant, and install the brake disc or drum.

4WD models use a fully independent front axle assembly.

The vehicle has a hypoid, semi-floating type rear axle assembly.

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

It is important to inspect the boots periodically for damage and leaking lubricant, as torn CV joint boots must be replaced immediately to prevent damage to the joints.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Before installing the driveaxle, the splines on the stub shaft should be lubricated with multi-purpose grease.

4WD models use a fully independent front axle assembly.

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

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.

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. Then, install the cover, fill the differential with lubricant, and install the brake disc or drum.

To install a full-floating axle shaft, you should hold the axleshaft level to engage the splines and use a new gasket on the flange. Finally, tighten the flange bolts to the proper torque specifications.

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.

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

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.

The drive axle-to-axle shaft flange bolts should be removed while having an assistant apply the brake to prevent the driveaxle from turning.

To remove and install components in the front differential for 4WD systems, follow these steps: 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.

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

It is important to inspect the boots periodically for damage and leaking lubricant, as torn CV joint boots must be replaced immediately to prevent damage to the joints.

Yes, there is an optional locking limited-slip rear axle available.

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

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. Then, install the cover, fill the differential with lubricant, and install the brake disc or drum.

Before removing the rear axle assembly, the following components need to be removed: driveshaft, shock absorbers, vent hose, brake hose, rear brake assemblies, parking brake cables, and rear wheel speed sensors.