rear axle seal/bearing repair

[blackcobra95]

I am trying remove my axle but I'm having trouble accessing the 4 nuts behind the rotor. What is the best tools/tips to use on removing these four nuts?

[4play]

you don't take those out, just loosen the abs sensor and pull it out a bit, remove the diff cover pull the centre pin that's held in place with one small bolt then push axle in, remove C clip then just pull axle out.

[blackcobra95]

Thanks. I read somewhere that those bolts came out too...

[blackcobra95]

Any tips on how to get the c clip out? when i try to push in the axles they only go in a little. ABS is remove just the rotor is on.

[cgr]

Make sure the studs on the axle are not interfering with the brackets/springs for the emergency brake. You get about another 1/8" if you put car in neutral and turn the axles so the studs are straddling the bracket at about the 3/9 o'clock position.

[blackcobra95]

Got it. Couple of taps on the axle with the BFH got gave me the clearance needed for the c clip to fall out when i spent the wheel around

[blackcobra95]

Axle and bearing seal is in. No damage whatsoever on the axle or bearing. I just went ahead and change it for piece of mind.

While I was trying to get axle out first I made a mistake and the 2 small spider gears fall out. I can get one to go in but when i try the other, it won't fully mesh and walk itself in.

Any tips on getting the spider gears in from anyone else who dealt with the same issue?
Thanks for all the responses so far guys.

[Blackened300a]

Axle and bearing seal is in. No damage whatsoever on the axle or bearing. I just went ahead and change it for piece of mind.

While I was trying to get axle out first I made a mistake and the 2 small spider gears fall out. I can get one to go in but when i try the other, it won't fully mesh and walk itself in.

Any tips on getting the spider gears in from anyone else who dealt with the same issue?
Thanks for all the responses so far guys.

Im assuming you are reffering to the top and bottom spider gear? Make sure you don't forget the bearing shim that needs to be slid in between the spider gear and the carrier. Push the axles in and you'll have to use a prybar to turn one axle and hold the other stationary to pull the spider gears in. You'll need a friend or two to help you out with this.

[Richy04]

The trick to get them in is to rotate the carrier and ring while someone rotates the axles to walk them back in and they will go right back in place. To anyone doing this job, order a new pinion pin retaining bolt, like most of the 8.8's they fracture. I had to hold off for three days waiting for the part because nobody had it. While you have the axles out, replace the emergency brakes too.

The way you fish the broken piece out is to get a flat screwdriver in the hole and mark it's depth. In fact grab a bunch of tools like dental picks etc and rotate the piece counter clockwise to walk it out. You can also try a left-handed drill bit.

When you get it to the top of the hole, get your finger inside the carrier and rock the pinion pin back and forth and it will walk out of the hole and you can grab it. Never put the old one back in. Replace it.

[RF Overlord]

Never put the old one back in. Replace it.NOW you tell me. I reused the original bolt and even used red Loctite. I hope I never have to remove it...

[fastblackmerc]

NOW you tell me. I reused the original bolt and even used red Loctite. I hope I never have to remove it...

Same here..... haven't had a problem for 60k miles.....

[Chevyguy]

I re-used it on my old 2001, but it's really worth it to replace!!

[SpartaPerformance]

Im assuming you are reffering to the top and bottom spider gear? Make sure you don't forget the bearing shim that needs to be slid in between the spider gear and the carrier. Push the axles in and you'll have to use a prybar to turn one axle and hold the other stationary to pull the spider gears in. You'll need a friend or two to help you out with this.


Video time??:D