Rear Axle - Disassemble

^ Tools Required
- J 42177 Holding Fixture Adapter
- J 3289-20 Holding Fixture-Bench Mounted
- J 42149 Side Bearing Preload Clamp Plate
- J 42143 Side Bearing Preload Clamp
- J 26234 Drive Axle Seal Driver





1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the differential. Refer to Differential Replacement.
3. Use the differential bearing bracket bolts to install the J 42177 onto the rear axle differential.
^ Tighten the differential bearing bracket bolts until fully seated and not stripped.
4. Mount the differential into the J 3289-20.
5. Remove the rear axle housing cover bolts (1).
6. Remove the rear axle housing cover.
7. Use a suitable prybar to remove the drive axle seals from the rear axle.

Important: Take care not to damage the differential housing or to damage the differential carrier side bearing outer race. Damage to the differential housing or damage to the differential carrier side bearing outer race may result in leaks upon reassembly.





8. Use the rear axle housing cover bolts to install the J 42143 onto the right side of the rear axle housing cover surface.
^ Tighten the rear axle housing cover bolts until seated. Do not strip the rear axle housing cover bolts.
9. Install the J 42143 onto the right differential side bearing outer race.
10. Tighten the clamp onto the J 42149.

Important: Tighten the clamp only enough to relieve a significant amount of bearing preload from the snap ring. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. Once the clamp starts to flex the majority of the preload has been relieved.

11. Use a hammer and use a drift to rotate the rear axle differential adjuster ring so that the ring opening is accessible.





12. Use heavy duty snap ring pliers to remove the adjuster ring from the right bearing bore.
13. Remove the J 42149 from the rear axle housing.
14. Remove the J 42143 from the rear axle housing.





15. Use heavy duty snap ring pliers to remove the adjuster ring (2) from the left side of the rear axle housing (1).
16. Use a rubber-faced mallet and use a piece of wood to drive out the right differential side bearing outer race from the cover opening of the differential.
17. Inspect the differential side bearing seal on the side bearing outer race for damage or for deterioration. Service as necessary.





18. LIGHTLY tap the carrier through the right side bearing bore using a rubber mallet and using a piece of wood to drive the left differential side bearing outer race out of the housing.

Important: Do not mix the right and the lift side bearing races.

19. Inspect the differential side bearing seal on the side bearing outer race for damage or for deterioration. Service as necessary.
20. Remove the differential carrier from the rear axle housing.
21. Remove the differential drive pinion gear. Refer to Drive Pinion Disassemble.
22. Remove the differential drive pinion seal from the differential.
23. Remove the differential drive pinion gear outer bearing from the differential drive pinion gear bore.
24. Remove the differential drive pinion gear inner bearing from the differential drive pinion gear.
25. Remove the inner pinion bearing outer races from the rear axle housing if replacing the bearings.
26. Remove the outer pinion bearing outer races from the rear axle housing if replacing the bearings.