HELP!! GMC rear differential disassembly??
Question:
Dear Techies, I may be in big trouble here. Started to pull an axle on my 92 GMC Yukon (Semi-floating axles)with a leaking seal. I need help in understanding what I’m seeing! This SHOULD be simple: 1. Remove the "differential pinion shaft lockscrew". 2. Remove the pinion shaft 3. Push in on the axle (into the space left by the pinion shaft) 4. Remove the ‘C’ ring fron the axle end and pull it out. The "differential pinion shaft lockscrew" is the question: It is 5/16 NC thread, 5/16 hex head. It removed fairly easily with a 6" bar on a 1/4" socket. But it’s only 3/8" long. There is still a pin in place, retaining the pinion shaft. What am I seeing here?? Is the lockscrew broken?? Is there a pin held in place by the screw I removed? The screw I removed has 3/8" of 5/12 NC thread. The whole screw is dark black except a small shiny area on the end. The end of the screw is not flat, but slightly concave. Can someone who has taken these apart, please tell me what I may be seeing? What does this pin look like? Dimensions, threaded VS unthreaded etc… Pointer to a picture of one.. IF this is broken, any suggestions not involving self-destruction? I really need to get my one vehicle back on the road! Any trick methods to get a working axle seal without removing the axle??? THANKS for your help!!!!! — Regards, Terry King …In The Woods In Vermont
Response:
Sounds like the ‘lockscrew’ has been broken. Not a biggie. Spray carb or brake cleaner into the hole the piece came out of, liberally. Turn the ring gear so the other piece can fall out, wiggle the ring gear forward and back, the broken piece ’should’ fall out. You should note that, if the ‘lockscrew’ has been broken, you have a problem in the gear carrier, or the shaft. Also check the axle bearing for wear. Sorry, no other way to get to the seal. Item last, the screw (as I remember), is probably an inch and a quarter. Best of luck. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Dear Techies, > I may be in big trouble here. Started to pull an axle > on my 92 GMC Yukon (Semi-floating axles)with a leaking > seal. I need help in understanding what I’m seeing! > This SHOULD be simple: > 1. Remove the "differential pinion shaft lockscrew". > 2. Remove the pinion shaft > 3. Push in on the axle (into the space left by the > pinion shaft) > 4. Remove the ‘C’ ring fron the axle end and pull it out. > The "differential pinion shaft lockscrew" is the question: > It is 5/16 NC thread, 5/16 hex head. It removed fairly > easily with a 6" bar on a 1/4" socket. But it’s only > 3/8" long. There is still a pin in place, retaining the > pinion shaft. > What am I seeing here?? Is the lockscrew broken?? Is there > a pin held in place by the screw I removed? > The screw I removed has 3/8" of 5/12 NC thread. The whole > screw is dark black except a small shiny area on the end. > The end of the screw is not flat, but slightly concave. > Can someone who has taken these apart, please tell me what > I may be seeing? What does this pin look like? Dimensions, > threaded VS unthreaded etc… Pointer to a picture of one.. > IF this is broken, any suggestions not involving self-destruction? > I really need to get my one vehicle back on the road! > Any trick methods to get a working axle seal without removing > the axle??? > THANKS for your help!!!!! > — > Regards, Terry King …In The Woods In Vermont
Response:
>Dear Techies, >I may be in big trouble here. Started to pull an axle >on my 92 GMC Yukon (Semi-floating axles)with a leaking >seal. I need help in understanding what I’m seeing!
Yes, the screw is broken. It should be 1 1/2" long or so with teh last inch being just plain(no threads). Unfortunatly, when these break, they usually leav about 1/2 a thread in the hole. There are a couple of ways to remove it, involving torches, big-assed hammers and the like. Snap-On even has a kit(there’s a surprise. huh?) including a loooong left handed drill bit. But out in the back woods of Vermont, lacking special tools and the like, your best bet is probably to put the thing back together and let a shop mess with it. Wally Crow aka Big Daddy ‘74 Sporty chop ASE Master Auto Tech. Chevy Master Tech Y2K TOMKAT SENS BS#133
Response:
> Yes, the screw is broken. It should be 1 1/2" long or so with teh > last inch being just plain(no threads). > Unfortunatly, when these break, they usually leav about 1/2 a thread > in the hole
OUCH!!! Can anyone put their hands on one of these screws, and tell me exactly how long the threaded portion is?? I may be able to use a screw extractor, but I’d really like to know how much left in the hole is threaded… Thanks!
