Chevrolet 1977 10 Series, Repair Manual, Page: 119 / 468

REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL 4B-47
DIFFERENTIAL CASE
Removal
1. M ount axle assem bly in a bench vise or holding
fixture.
2. Rem ove cover bolts a n d cover, as seen in figure 2E,
and allow lubricant to d ra in into p an.
3. Rem ove axle shafts as o u tlin ed in Truck Service
M anual.
N O T E : Before p ro ceed in g w ith follow ing
steps, it is advisable to check the existing ring
gear to p inion backlash as d escribed in Step
9 o f "D ifferential C ase—In sta lla tio n ." This
will indicate gear or b e a rin g w ear o r an erro r
in backlash or p in io n d e p th setting w hich will
help in d eterm in in g cause o f axle noise.
Backlash should be recorded so th a t if sam e
gears are reused, then m ay be rein stalled at
original lash to avoid ch a n g in g g e a r tooth
contact.
4. Rem ove adjusting nut lock re ta in e rs from b e a rin g
caps.
5. M ark bearin g caps fo r re in sta lla tio n in the sam e
position, and rem ove caps.
6. Loosen side b earin g ad ju stin g nuts, using J-24429
as show n in figure 3E.
7. R em ove differential from carrier.
Side Bearing Replacement
1. Install b earin g puller J-8107 o nto one side b earin g ,
w ith puller screw centered on pilot p lug as show n in
figure 4E. Be sure to in stall pu ller fingers into
notches o f case, in o rd e r to pull on in n e r race only.
2. T ig h ten puller screw, w hile ro ta tin g b e a rin g to
insure th at bearing cage is not b eing distorted.
3. R em ove the o th er b e a rin g in the sam e m an n er.
Fig. 3E—Loosening A d ju s tin g N uts
Fig. 4E—D iffe re n tia l B earing Removal
4. Inspect b earin g s an d h u b fo r nicks, burrs or
evidence o f ab n o rm a l w ear.
5. To install bearings, place b e a rin g onto hub, an d use
d riv er h an d le J-8092 and b e a rin g in staller J-24430
to drive b e a rin g onto h u b un til it seats ag ain st the
shoulder.
6. W hen in stallin g the second b e a rin g , su p p o rt case on
pilot plug as show n in figure 5E to p rev en t dam ag e
to first b e a rin g installed.
Ring Gear Replacement
1. Rem ove the rin g g ear bolts a n d lock w ashers, and
use a soft faced h a m m e r to ta p the rin g g ear from
the case.
2. Place new rin g g e a r into p o sitio n on case and install
lock w ashers an d bolts.
Fig. 2E—Cover Removed from Carrier
3. T orque bolts altern ate ly to specifications.