GM 26010416 Rear Axle Drive Shaft

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Remove the bolts which attach the axleshaft flange to the hub. There is no need to remove the wheel or jack up the vehicle. Tap the flange with a soft-face hammer to loosen the shaft, then grip the rib in the face of the flange with a pair of locking pliers. Twist the shaft slightly in both directions and withdraw it from the housing. Place a drip pan under the outer end of the axle to catch any lubricant which might leak out while the axle is removed. Installation is the reverse of removal. Be sure to hold the axle shaft level to engage the splines at the inner end with those in the differential side gear. Always use a new gasket on the flange and keep both the flange and hub mating surface free of grease and oil.

Raise the rear of the vehicle, support it securely on jackstands and block the front wheels. Remove the wheel and brake drum. On locking differential equipped models, remove both rear wheels and brake drums. Remove the differential cover and allow the lubricant to drain into a container. Remove the lock screw and pull out the pinion shaft. Have an assistant push in on the outer flanged end of the axle shaft while you remove the C-rock from the groove in the inner end of the shaft. Rotate the differential for access, support the pinion shaft so it won't fall into the case, then remove the lock screw. Withdraw the pinion shaft part way. Rotate the differential until the shaft touches the case, providing enough clearance for access to the C-locks. Use a screwdriver to rotate the C-lock until the open end points in. With the C-lock in position so it will pass through the end of the thrust block, push the axle shaft in and remove the C-lock. Repeat the operation for the opposite axle shaft. With the C-lock removed, withdraw the axle shaft, taking care not to damage the oil seal. Some models have a thrust washer in the differential; make sure it doesn't fall out when the axle shaft is removed. To install, carefully insert the axle shaft into the housing and seat it securely in the differential. Install the C-lock in the axle shaft groove and pull out on the flange to lock it. Insert the pinion shaft, align the hole in the shaft with the lock screw hole and install the lock screw. Tighten the lock screw to the torque. Install the C-locks with the pinion shaft still partially withdrawn. Make sure the C-locks are positioned correctly. Withdraw the axle shaft carefully until the C-lock clears the thrust block. After the C-locks are installed, push the pinion shaft into place with the groove lined up with the lock screw hole, then install the lock screw. Tighten the lock screw to the torque. Install the cover and fill the differential with the lubricant. Install the brake drums and wheels and lower the vehicle.

Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts, raise the rear of the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands. Block the front wheels to keep the vehicle from rolling off the stands. Remove the rear wheels. Position a jack under the rear axle differential case. Disconnect the driveshaft from the rear axle companion flange. Fasten the driveshaft out of the way with a piece of wire from the underbody. Disconnect the shock absorbers at the lower mounts, then compress them to get them out of the way. If equipped, disconnect the vent hose from the fitting on the axle housing and fasten it out of the way. Disconnect the brake hose from the junction block on the axle housing, then plug the hose to prevent fluid leakage. Remove the brake drums. Disconnect the parking brake cables from the actuating levers and the backing plate. Disconnect the spring U-bolts. Remove the spacers and clamp plates. Lower the jack under the differential, then remove the rear axle assembly from under the vehicle. Installation is the reverse of removal. Lower the vehicle weight onto the wheels before tightening the U-bolt nuts completely. Bleed the brakes.

Two types of rear axle shafts are used in the drive axles, Semi-floating and full-floating. Semi-floating axleshafts are supported at the outer ends of the axle tubes by roller bearings pressed into the outer end of the axle tube, and retained in the differential splines. Full-floating axleshafts ride in differential splines at their inner ends, and are bolted to the wheel hub at the outer end. 4WD models use a completely independent front axle assembly. It consists of a differential and a pair of drive axles. Each drive axle has an inner and outer constant velocity (CV) joint. Just like the transfer case, this offset differential is located to the left and thus there is more distance between it and right front wheel compared to left side wheel's one. This makes up for using two equal-length drive axles on both sides by employing extension axle shaft on its right side.

Semi-floating axleshafts are supported at the outer end of the axle, by roller bearings pressed into the outer end of the axle tube.

If necessary, detach the brake hose bracket and speed sensor wiring harness from the upper arm.

Loosen the hub nut 1/4-turn.

Use a screwdriver to rotate the C-lock until the open end points in.

Hold the axle shaft level to engage the splines at the inner end with those in the differential side gear.