Dissassembly of the rear end

[mblatch]

I'm trying to remove the axles, gears, etc from the rearend. Basically take it all apart and start fresh with new seals, bearings, etc.

Does anyone have an exploded diagram or advice on what order all that has to be disassembled? It seems nothing can be removed before the retaining pin in the center piece. Once I removed the retaining pin, the center rod holding the axle gears can't be removed, because it hits the ring gear. and the ring gear can't be removed since it's hitting the drive gear connected through the torque tube.

Any advice. What's the proper order for this disassembly?

Thanks.

[69-GT]

the axles are bolt-in, so pull of the brake assembly and unbolt the axle flange. That will be your first step.

[baz]

hi and welcome to the site
have a look on the panel on the left side of the home page for tech center
in there is a link to the 73 factory service man
that has most of the info you need and the gurus will be able to help with anything you have trouble with

[mblatch]

thanks guys! I've can't seem to get the axles out. I've removed the brakes and retaining nuts/washers from the anxle flange. Do they just need a little persuasion (hammer in the right spot)? (I'm sure a common problem on previously untouched rearends ) Any tricks there?

Thanks for the tech center info. I've poked here on the site several times, but really learning how to use it now.

[69-GT]

i used a pull hammer? i think that what its called, having a brain fart right now... tap with a hammer, or yank on it, whatever it takes. should not take to much effort. You might have some crud/rust deposit holding it in. Good luck

[Dmcbrass]

What year is the car. On the 70's and earlier the axles are held in with clips like a chevy truck axle.

[mblatch]

it's a 73. thanks for the info. i'll try to some pb blaster penetrating lube in there and tap it a bit with a hammer and see what turns loose.

[hrcollinsjr]

Use a slide hammer to pull the axle. Flip your wheel around and start the lug nuts on the studs but leave some slack. Snatch the wheel against the lug nuts. It's worked for me a few times.

HTH,
Harold

[GTJIM]

If you have never rebuilt a diff before be a bit careful as everything has to be put back exactly right or it will grind itself to bits.
Don't pull a good, quite diff apart is the golden rule - they NEVER go back together in exactly the same place and have to 'wear' themselves in again.
Usually the internal bearings last the life of the gears and do not need disturbing unless everything needs replacement. that is a major (read expensive!) job.
Replacing wheel bearings and axle seals is fairly straight forward as the new outer wheel bearings have the seals built into them on the 1971 and later axles. Replacing the front pinion seal can be done without dismantling the diff too - see the Factory Service Manual.
If the gears or spiders are worn or broken it is often far less expensive to get another good 2nd hand diff for about $100 - $150 than to replace Crown wheel & Pinion gears ($450 plus) and their bearings ($200 - $400)
Wheel bearings are not too bad though - OGTS lists them #7012 at $65.00 each; #7013 Seal $6.00 and #7014 Retainer $10.80

HTH

[mblatch]

got it, thanks men for your help. the wheel turned slide hammer did it. I was just surprised at how rough i needed to get with it. and it's a good thing I took it apart, pretty nasty in there.

Thanks again,

Mike

the attached pic shows the inside of the axle housing. YYYUUUCK!

[mblatch]

10-4 and good to know. I just wanted to get it apart and cleaned up a bit, I don't plan on messing with the pinion drive and other gears in there. sounds like that is more than i need to bite off at this point.

[Itsa '70 GT]

Never mind my last imput....

[jeff denton]

My suggestion is to check the pinion bearings for play, both diffs I've been into had the bearings loose and very pitted.
And do be sure to have parts lined up before any disassembly. You'll likely get very discouraged at the cost of new parts. Then you'll be wanting the suggested "numerous usable" rear ends available nationwide.
To reassemble one read my posts on the subject, the service manual will only make it impossible, believe me!