Axle, Integral Carrier—7.5 Inch Ring Gear

The rear axle assembly is an integral-type housing hypoid gear design (centerline of the pinion set below the centerline of the ring gear).

The hypoid gearset consists of a 191mm (7.5 inch) diameter ring gear and an overhung drive pinion which is supported by two opposed tapered roller bearings. Pinion bearing preload is maintained by a collapsible spacer on the pinion shaft and adjusted by the pinion nut.

The housing assembly consists of a cast center section with integral cast suspension attaching ears, two steel tube assemblies and a stamped steel rear cover. The cover uses a silicone sealant rather than a gasket.

The differential case is a one-piece design with two openings to allow for assembly of internal components and lubricant flow. The differential pinion shaft is retained with a threaded bolt assembled to the case. The differential case assembly is mounted in the carrier between two opposed tapered roller bearings. The bearings are retained in the carrier by removable bearing caps.

Differential bearing preload and ring gear backlash are adjusted by the use of shims located between the differential bearing cup/races and the carrier housing.

The use of a hypoid shim gauge in conjunction with a differential shim gauge is required for proper gearset adjustment.

The semi-floating axle shafts are held in the housing by C-washer locks positioned in a slot on the axle shaft splined end. These C-washers also fit into a machined recess in the differential side gears within the differential case.