4
A-2
1968
PONTIAC SERVICE
MANUAL
COMPANION
FLANGE
/
WHEEL
BEARING
OUTER
RETAINER
BRAKE
/
BEARING RETAINER
OUTER
GASKET
WHEEL
BEARING
/
,
OIL
SEAL
CARRIER
AND
TUBES
ASSEMBLY
(AXLE
HOUSING)
I
DRIVE
PINION
FRONT BEARING
DRIVE
PINION.
DRIVE
PINION
REAR
BEARING
PINION
BEARING
ADJUSTING
SHIM
"Z
PINION
THRUST
WASHER
DRIVE
PINION
/
OIL
SEAL
PINION
FRONT
BEARING SPACER
PINION
SHAFT
LOCK
SCREW
DIFFERENTIAL
/'
PINION
SIDE
BEARING
ADJUSTING
SHIM
•f
BRAKE
DRUM
WHEEL
BEARING
INNER RETAINER
BEARING RETAINER
INNER GASKET
AXLE
SHAFT SIDE BEARING
/
DIFFERENTIAL'
SIDE
GEAR
DIFFERENTIAL
CASE
j
PINION
SHAFT
f
RING GEAR
BOLT
"SIDE
GEAR
THRUST WASHER
COVER
Fig.
4A-2
Cross Section
of
Typical Rear Axle
and
Differential
LUBRICATION
Check
differential oil level and, if necessary, add
sufficient amount of multi-purpose hypoid gear lu-
bricant
to bring level to bottom of filler plug hole.
PERIODIC SERVICE
LUBRICATION
Lubricant
change in the differential is not recom-
mended unless
repair
work is being done. The dif-
ferential
should be checked for leaks at each chassis
lubrication.
If there is evidence of leakage, the leak
should be corrected and lubricant added if needed.
Lubricant
level should be even with bottom of filler
plug hole.
Rear
axle capacity is 4 1/2 pints for
Pontiac;
3 pints for Tempest and
Firebird.
Use
multi-purpose hypoid gear lubricant in the
standard
differential. Because of the importance of
using factory recommended lubricant, a container
of this lubricant is furnished with each service
ring
gear and pinion set or differential
carrier
assembly.
This
lubricant is also available through regular parts
channels.
See Section 4B for
Safe-T-Track
Lubri-
cant
Recommendations.
SHOCK ABSORBERS
Give
visual inspection for leaks and jounce car at
each lubrication period to see that shock absorbers
are
in an operative condition. If inoperative or if
leaks are found, refer to suspension section of man-
ual
and thoroughly diagnose problem before replacing
units.
MINOR
SERVICE
AND
REPAIRS
NOTE:
Most rear axle service repairs can be
made
with
the rear axle
assembly
in the car by
raising the rear end,
with
the rear axle hanging on
the shock absorbers. Rear axle lubricant may be
drained by backing out all cover
bolts
and
break-
ing cover loose at the
bottom.
COMPANION
FLANGE-REMOVE
AND
REPLACE
NOTE:
When replacing companion flange
f
it is
important
that
new flange be
properly
installed to
provide correct pinion bearing
preload.
The fol-
lowing procedure
must
be used to ensure correct
pinion bearing
adjustment:
1.
With
rear
wheels off floor,
turn
wheels and
tap brake backing plates with a
soft
hammer to
ensure that brakes are free.
2.
Remove U-bolts which hold
rear
universal joint
to companion flange. Use a heavy rubber band or
tape to hold bearings
onto
journal
to prevent loss of
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