Reinstalling driver's side rear axle
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
Reinstalling driver's side rear axle
I just replaced the driver's side differential output shaft seal (the dreaded leak! 
) and after reinstalling the axle I looked to the passenger's side to compare how they both sat against the differential. To my surprise the driver's side has a noticeable wider gap in relation to the passenger's.
Being afraid that I didn't properly sit it, I searched here and found this thread on the same matter. It looks that's the way it is, but the OP never came back to "close the case" one way or the other...
Here is a picture from that thread showing the same thing I'm seeing in my car:
Can someone confirm for me if this is how it's supposed to be, please?
) and after reinstalling the axle I looked to the passenger's side to compare how they both sat against the differential. To my surprise the driver's side has a noticeable wider gap in relation to the passenger's.Being afraid that I didn't properly sit it, I searched here and found this thread on the same matter. It looks that's the way it is, but the OP never came back to "close the case" one way or the other...
Here is a picture from that thread showing the same thing I'm seeing in my car:
Can someone confirm for me if this is how it's supposed to be, please?
Last edited by GCG; May 27, 2012 at 10:27 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 409
From: Portland OR
I just finished installing both left and right side axles and both are in the same amount.
There is a receiver groove inside the splines of the axle that the circlip Bumble alluded to mates with.
I would try to gently pry the axle out. If it moves easily, the circlip is not into the groove I mentioned.
FWIW, I lubed the circlip and the inside of the axle splines prior to assembly. When sliding the axle home, it becomes it's own battering ram. Works great.
Ron
There is a receiver groove inside the splines of the axle that the circlip Bumble alluded to mates with.
I would try to gently pry the axle out. If it moves easily, the circlip is not into the groove I mentioned.
FWIW, I lubed the circlip and the inside of the axle splines prior to assembly. When sliding the axle home, it becomes it's own battering ram. Works great.
Ron
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
Yes, the circlip was there and I did lube it prior to assembly. I started the axle into the differential output shaft and using it as it's own "battering ram" went at it until it stopped, producing like a metal-to-metal sound. It was the kind of sound you would expect when you already reached the end of it.
To be honest I didn't try pulling because I thought it was clearly sat. After I finished assembling everything I checked the passenger's side and saw the difference and then is when I began wondering
I have a question, let's suppose an axle is missing a final little push to engage the circlip, would it finally clip in by just going around the block with the car?
To be honest I didn't try pulling because I thought it was clearly sat. After I finished assembling everything I checked the passenger's side and saw the difference and then is when I began wondering
I have a question, let's suppose an axle is missing a final little push to engage the circlip, would it finally clip in by just going around the block with the car?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 409
From: Portland OR
I think you are fine then. That was the sound I got as well. I didn't even look at mine until your post.
Didn't mean to alarm you.
Who knows, maybe the axle isn't oem? Or maybe GM had some changes.
Given the miles on mine, and the amount of leakage and grunge, I'm sure they had never been out.
Ron
Didn't mean to alarm you.
Who knows, maybe the axle isn't oem? Or maybe GM had some changes.
Given the miles on mine, and the amount of leakage and grunge, I'm sure they had never been out.
Ron
