How do you change an axle shaft bearings?
How do you change an axle shaft bearings?
Next push the axles towards the center to reveal and remove a C clip retainer. With the C shaped clips removed they will easily slide out of the differential housing. When replacement is needed, often the axle bearings are pressed onto the shaft using special equipment and holding fixtures.
What kind of axle bearings do rear wheel drive cars have?
Rear wheel drive vehicles with pumpkin style differentials and solid axles have axle bearings. They are inexpensive but labor intensive to replace and diagnose. Many vehicles go to the junkyard with the original axle shafts and bearings.
How do you remove a pinion shaft on an axle?
On these types of set ups you have to remove the differential cover then remove the pinion shaft. Next push the axles towards the center to reveal and remove a C clip retainer. With the C shaped clips removed they will easily slide out of the differential housing.
How is the axle held in the differential housing?
A visual inspection of the bearing in most cases is not possible until you slide the axle out of the differential housing. In some cases its obvious how the axle is held into the differential housing. In many Ford applications you will see bolts that hold a flange against the differential tube. Removing these bolts allows the axle to slide out.
What to do when rear axle bearings fall out?
Look inside the carrier in the opening left by the pin removed above at the axle ends and remove the clips. If a clip is missing, check the bottom of the differential housing. It probably fell out when you pushed the axles inward. If you’re only replacing one bearing, only push inward on that axle.
How to change General Motors RWD rear axle bearings?
How to Change General Motors RWD Rear Axle Bearings 1. Park on a flat and level surface and leave the parking brake off. Block both the front and rear of one (or both)… 2. Shift the transmission into neutral. 3. Slide the drain pan under the differential. Remove the bolts securing the cover to
How are the axles secured to the differential?
The axles are secured inside the differential by a C-clip. Look inside the carrier in the opening left by the pin removed above at the axle ends and remove the clips. If a clip is missing, check the bottom of the differential housing. It probably fell out when you pushed the axles inward.
How do you remove an axle shaft on a GM car?
Removing these bolts allows the axle to slide out. On GM vehicles it is more common to have the shaft retained in the differential carrier. On these types of set ups you have to remove the differential cover then remove the pinion shaft. Next push the axles towards the center to reveal and remove a C clip retainer.
What kind of noise does an axle shaft make?
This can often point you towards a suspect part. It may also eliminate other items that can be mistaken for axle shaft bearing noise. Bad axle bearings often make a growling or rumbling sound at highway speeds.
Removing these bolts allows the axle to slide out. On GM vehicles it is more common to have the shaft retained in the differential carrier. On these types of set ups you have to remove the differential cover then remove the pinion shaft. Next push the axles towards the center to reveal and remove a C clip retainer.
Where do you take axle shafts and bearings?
Many vehicles go to the junkyard with the original axle shafts and bearings. If the rear differential is serviced properly and the fluid level is maintained, this will in turn lubricate the bearing. In this perfect world they should experience long life.
How can I tell if my axle shaft bearings are defective?
Luckily diagnosing axle shaft bearings does not come up very often, because the sounds they make can be mistaken for other drive train problems. Even a noisy tire with choppy tread can be mistaken for a defective bearing. This article talks about rear axles, seals and bearings.
This can often point you towards a suspect part. It may also eliminate other items that can be mistaken for axle shaft bearing noise. Bad axle bearings often make a growling or rumbling sound at highway speeds.
