replacing rear axel and differential
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 3
Axle replacement is a rather simple process. If you bent the axle then you may have damaged the bearing as well. Getting the axle out is easy but the bearing is another matter.
To remove the axle, drain the differential and remove the rear cover. Each axle shaft is held in place by large C clips. Push the axle toward the differential and pry the C clip off the axle shaft. Support the axle shaft as you withdraw or insert it, to avoid damaging the grease seal. Replacement is the reverse.
To remove the bearing there is a special tool that looks like a "T" with a hinge pin at the intersection. This fits onto a slide hammer. You fold the "T" down, insert it through the bearing and the weighted top part drops down, allowing you to pull against the inner bearing race. A standard slide hammer with a stout hook can also be used but you will likely wind up beating the bearing to pieces before it comes out. An appropriate sized socket can be used as an installation tool to replace the bearing.
Install a new seal as well. It will get beat up during bearing removal.
That's about it.
To remove the axle, drain the differential and remove the rear cover. Each axle shaft is held in place by large C clips. Push the axle toward the differential and pry the C clip off the axle shaft. Support the axle shaft as you withdraw or insert it, to avoid damaging the grease seal. Replacement is the reverse.
To remove the bearing there is a special tool that looks like a "T" with a hinge pin at the intersection. This fits onto a slide hammer. You fold the "T" down, insert it through the bearing and the weighted top part drops down, allowing you to pull against the inner bearing race. A standard slide hammer with a stout hook can also be used but you will likely wind up beating the bearing to pieces before it comes out. An appropriate sized socket can be used as an installation tool to replace the bearing.
Install a new seal as well. It will get beat up during bearing removal.
That's about it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,010
Likes: 203
From: SoCal
Do you think a bump hard enough to damage the bearing would also tweak the whole housing? I don't know how much a used rear end would be from the salvage yard, but it might be easier to replace the whole thing than to replace the parts inside.
I think you have to remove the pinion shaft (the spider pinions, not the differential input pinion) before you can push the axle shafts in enough to remove the C-clips. This pinion shaft is held in place by a small bolt, and holds the spider gears in place, so they will drop out when it is removed.
Originally posted by aerocolorado
To remove the axle, drain the differential and remove the rear cover. Each axle shaft is held in place by large C clips. Push the axle toward the differential and pry the C clip off the axle shaft. Support the axle shaft as you withdraw or insert it, to avoid damaging the grease seal. Replacement is the reverse.
To remove the axle, drain the differential and remove the rear cover. Each axle shaft is held in place by large C clips. Push the axle toward the differential and pry the C clip off the axle shaft. Support the axle shaft as you withdraw or insert it, to avoid damaging the grease seal. Replacement is the reverse.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: SOGGY TUNDRA
I swapped out my rear end for about 130.00 .. not including brakes and fluid. It is easy enough, but still requires some common sense. If ya live close to me, drive it to me and I will locate and swap it for ya, for a fee of course . 
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