Axle Shaft: Service Precautions

CAUTION:
- Never hold the CV joint and halfshaft assembly by the inboard CV joint stub shaft pilot bearing housing or outboard joint only.
- Handle all rear drive halfshaft components carefully during halfshaft removal and installation and during various component disassembly and assembly procedures.
- Do not remove inboard CV joint stub shaft pilot bearing housing by pulling on interconnecting shaft.
- The complete halfshaft should be handled by the interconnecting shaft to avoid pull-apart and potential damage to the inboard CV joint stub shaft pilot bearing housing.
- . Do not over-angle CV joints beyond their capacity.
- Make sure ground surfaces and splines are not damaged.
- Do not allow rear axle shaft outer boots/rear axle shaft inner boots to come into contact with sharp edges or hot exhaust components.
- Do not drop assembled halfshafts, as the impact will cut the rear axle shaft outer boot/rear axle shaft inner boot from the inside without external evidence of damage.
- Never use halfshaft assembly as a lever arm to position other rear end components. Always support free end of halfshaft.
- Keep internal CV joint clean and maintain proper grease refill when rear axle shaft outer boot/rear axle shaft inner boot is replaced.
- An assembled inboard CV joint stub shaft pilot bearing housing may be damaged if it is over-plunged outward from the joint housing.
- Never use a hammer to remove or install halfshafts.

TRACTION-LOK(r) DIFFERENTIAL

WARNING: A VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH TRACTION-LOK(r) DIFFERENTIAL WILL ALWAYS HAVE BOTH WHEELS DRIVING. IF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING SERVICED ONLY ONE WHEEL IS RAISED OFF THE FLOOR, THE WHEEL ON THE FLOOR COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE STAND OR JACK. MAKE SURE BOTH REAR WHEELS ARE OFF THE FLOOR.

WHEEL AND TIRE BALANCING, REAR

WARNING: DO NOT BALANCE THE REAR WHEELS AND TIRES WHILE THEY ARE MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE. POSSIBLE TIRE DISINTEGRATION, DIFFERENTIAL AND/OR HALFSHAFT FAILURE COULD RESULT, CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR EXTENSIVE COMPONENT DAMAGE. USE OFF-VEHICLE WHEEL AND TIRE BALANCER ONLY.

HOISTING

Never raise vehicle using the halfshafts as lift points.

CAUTION: Use frame contact hoist only. Vehicle or component damage may result if other types of hoists are used.

TOWING
Never tow vehicle using the half shafts as anchor points for tow truck cable/chains.

UNDERCOATING AND RUST PROOFING
During undercoating and rustproofing procedures, be very careful to protect rear axle shaft outer boots/rear axle shaft inner boot from coating materials. Foreign materials on the rubber boot convolutions will cause extreme advanced wear.