Pulling Out Axle Shaft

[duke16]

I'm going to have to remove the axle shaft from the housing to replace my caliper mount bracket. I've taken a look at the following diagram to get a general idea of how everything is connected, but I have a few questions before I get started.
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/diagrams/expaxle.GIF

To do this, I'll need to open the differential up, but what am I looking for once I get that open?

What happens to the wheel bearings/seals when I remove the axle? Do I reuse them? Do I need to re-grease them or anything?

Also, after draining the diff... what do I fill it with?

Is there anything else I should be aware of when doing this? And also, seeing as I am doing this, is there any routine maintenance that I should go ahead and do? For instance, replacing anything.

Thanks

 

[Turdle]

I'm going to have to remove the axle shaft from the housing to replace my caliper mount bracket. I've taken a look at the following diagram to get a general idea of how everything is connected, but I have a few questions before I get started.
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/diagrams/expaxle.GIF

To do this, I'll need to open the differential up, but what am I looking for once I get that open?

What happens to the wheel bearings/seals when I remove the axle? Do I reuse them? Do I need to re-grease them or anything?

Also, after draining the diff... what do I fill it with?

Is there anything else I should be aware of when doing this? And also, seeing as I am doing this, is there any routine maintenance that I should go ahead and do? For instance, replacing anything.

Thanks

See the thing called a u washer?
it is a clip holding the axle in-

I would replace the seals and fluid

now-the seals can get cut real easily by the axle splines when you re install the axle-
to prevent this-wrap a piece of paper around the splines, and SLOWLY push the paper in with the axle-just until you pass the splines-them pull out the paper.

Good luck-I think you can do this.

 

[96eb96]

I'm going to have to remove the axle shaft from the housing to replace my caliper mount bracket. I've taken a look at the following diagram to get a general idea of how everything is connected, but I have a few questions before I get started.
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/diagrams/expaxle.GIF

To do this, I'll need to open the differential up, but what am I looking for once I get that open?

What happens to the wheel bearings/seals when I remove the axle? Do I reuse them? Do I need to re-grease them or anything?

Also, after draining the diff... what do I fill it with?

Is there anything else I should be aware of when doing this? And also, seeing as I am doing this, is there any routine maintenance that I should go ahead and do? For instance, replacing anything.

Thanks

I did that on a crown vic once (very similar) and there was a screw in the carrier that tends to break in service and is a bear to remove. Other than that it is pretty easy.

 

[brianjwilson]

You mean the pinion shaft bolt?
Shouldn't have any problems with anything like that. Came out just fine with mine anyway. Get some brake cleaner or something to clean off the RVT sealant from the mating surface of the diff cover. Someone told me that you can get a rubber gasket instead of using RVT sealant to put it back together. I may do this next time as it was a PITA to remove the old RVT.

 

[duke16]

See the thing called a u washer?
it is a clip holding the axle in-

I would replace the seals and fluid

How many seals are there? Are they all the same size?

I did that on a crown vic once (very similar) and there was a screw in the carrier that tends to break in service and is a bear to remove. Other than that it is pretty easy.

Dumb question... What's a carrier?

You mean the pinion shaft bolt?
Shouldn't have any problems with anything like that. Came out just fine with mine anyway. Get some brake cleaner or something to clean off the RVT sealant from the mating surface of the diff cover. Someone told me that you can get a rubber gasket instead of using RVT sealant to put it back together. I may do this next time as it was a PITA to remove the old RVT.

Oh, I assumed there was a gasket on it. So I guess this RVT sealent would need replacing too then. Or would a gasket be better?

 

[96eb96]

Dumb question... What's a carrier?

Sorry, meant pinion lock bolt.

It does break(frequently enough to make a tool for it!)
http://www.etoolcart.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=9442

Definitely worth reading the comments for that product!

 

[gijoecam]

Before you go to all the trouble of changing everything, make sure the fill plug will come out of the housing. There's nothing worse than getting it all back together, only to find out you can't fill it because the fill plug won't come out.

They use a thread sealant/locker on the plugs. Often time a little heat to the area will loosen it right up.

The cross pin retainer bolt should come out without too much trouble. Remove the bolt, slide the cross pin out of the way, push the axle IN, remove the c-clip, and slide the axle shaft out.

-Joe

 

[MountaineerGreen]

What Joe said The bolt is a 5/16 wrench IIRC. A cover gasket is a wise investment, the one on mine I have reused a few times now, still seals with no leaks and no RTV to clean up if you have to remove the cover.