98 Camaro Rear Axle Shaft Removal

The 1998 Camaro uses outer axle bearings that are pressed into the axle tube. In the event of a bearing failure that scores the bearing surface on the axle, you can use an axle saver bearing. The axle saver moves the bearing surface outward farther so the bearing lands on a smoother surface. This saves purchasing a new axle. Removing the axle on a Camaro is a moderately difficult process requiring some automotive experience.

Instructions

Removal

1

Block the front wheels. Loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheels with the lug wrench. Raise the rear of the car using the floor jack under the differential. Place a jack stand under each side of the axle tube. Lower the car to rest on the stands. Place the transmission in neutral. Continue removing the wheels.

2

Remove the brake drums if equipped. If the car has rear wheel disc brakes, remove the two caliper mounting bolts with a socket and lift the caliper off the rotor. Suspend the caliper so it doesnt hang by its hose. Remove the rotor.

3

Place the drain pan under the differential. Remove all the 13 mm bolts in the differential cover using a socket. Use the screwdriver to pry the cover loose and allow the gear oil to drain into the pan. Scrape all the remaining sealant gasket material from the mating surface on the cover. Clean the cover by spraying it with the brake cleaner. Lay it aside for the moment.

4

Turn the differential carrier by rotating the driveshaft by hand until the center spider gear pin lock-bolt is situated down near the bottom of the housing. It must be in a position to remove the bolt. Use a 1/4-inch socket to remove the bolt. Keep a finger under the center pin as the bolt is removed or the pin will fall out. When the bolt is removed, while keeping the pin from falling out, rotate the carrier again just enough so the pin will come out and barely clear the bottom of the housing. This is essential to allow you to see into the differential enough to remove the axle C clips without turning the differential any farther with the pin out.

5

Remove the pin. Caution is in order here for the inexperienced. When this pin that aligns the spider (differential gears) is removed, any movement of the differential carrier housing at this point will rotate the spider gears out of the housing. This causes extra work for the experienced technician and a disaster for the inexperienced. Do not move it until the pin is installed again.

6

Push one axle in as far as it will go from the outside. Use the needle nose pliers to reach into the center of the carrier and pull the thick C-clip off the end of the axle. Once the clip is off, pull the axle out of the housing. Do the same to the opposite side.

7

Insert the spider gear pin and the lock bolt. Do not tighten the lock bolt; it is just to keep the pin in so the spider gears cant rotate out.

Installation

8

Remove the spider gear pin lock bolt and pin. Push one of the axles into the carrier. It will be necessary to jockey the axle up and down a bit until the inside end of the axle slides into the carrier. Push the axle in as far as possible.

9

Install the C-clip in the groove on the inside end of the axle. Pull the axle out as far as possible, which will move the C-clip into a recess so it cant come off the end of the axle. Do the same to the opposite side.

10

Insert the spider gear pin and lock bolt. Torque the lock bolt to 24 foot-pounds. Spread a 1/8-inch bead of RTV silicone sealant around the mating surface on the differential cover. Make sure it is continuous and keep the bead toward the outside of the bolt holes enough that when it spreads out as it is compressed, it doesnt get into the housing. Allow it to dry until it skins (will no longer stick to your finger). Install the cover immediately when it has skinned sufficiently. Torque the housing cover bolts to 24 foot-pounds.

11

Install the brake drums. If the car has disc brakes install the rotor onto the hub. Lower the caliper over the rotor and tighten the caliper mounting bolts to 27 foot-pounds. Install the wheels and torque the lug nuts to 85 foot-pounds.

12

Remove the filler plug in the side of the differential housing using the 3/8-inch drive ratchet in the square hole. Fill the differential with the 80/90W gear oil until it begins to overflow from the filler plug. If the car has a limited slip differential, add 1 quart of gear oil and then the 4 ounces of friction modifier. Continue to fill the housing with gear oil until it is level with the plug. Install the plug and torque it to 26 foot-pounds. Lower the vehicle to the ground.