Drive Axle
Page 35
ME-45X-01
E-451 & E-457
AXLE SHAFT
Note: Theoillevelinthehousingisclosetothebottomoftheaxleange.Tominimizeoilspills,raisetheside
ofthevehiclehighenoughsothattheoillevelisbelowthebottomoftheaxleange.Ifbothaxleshave
toberemovedatthesametimethenalloilshouldbedrainedfromthehousingtominimizeoilspills.
Note: This procedure does not require removing the drive axle assembly from the vehicle.
This section is one section of a complete service
manual. Before starting any procedure, read all
warnings and instructions that are located in the
Service Guidelines chapter.
WARNING
Bearings may be frozen on the shaft and may explode
into small fragments while being pressed off of the
shaft.
The entire bearing should be enclosed in a steel
housing while being pressed off of the axle.
Failure to enclose the bearing may result in severe
personal injury.
WARNING
Remove
1: Disconnect the batteries.
2: Raise the drive wheel off of the ground.
3: Remove the wheel assembly.
4: Place a small oil drain pan under the end of the
axle housing.
5: Remove the four axle retaining bolts.
6: Using a slide hammer, remove the axle from the
axle housing.
7: Remove the bearing gasket and axle seal from
the housing.
Install
1: Install a new seal and gasket in the housing.
Note:Depending on the vehicle conguration,
there may or may not be an axle oil seal.
Refer to the parts list.
2: Lubricate the bearing external O-ring.
3: Install the axle into the housing and tap in place
with a hammer.
4: Install the axle retaining hardware.
5: Install the wheel.
6: Lower the vehicle.
7: Reconnect the battery.
8: Remove the blocks from behind the
wheels.
9: Test drive the vehicle.
Replace Axle Bearing
Note: A 10-ton press is required to replace the axle
bearing.
Note: The axle bearing will be damaged when it is
removed.
1: Remove the axle from the vehicle.
2: Place the axle in a press and install a steel guard
to fully enclose the bearing.
3: Press the bearing off of the axle, discard the
bearing retainer.
4: Clean and lightly lubricate the axle shaft.
Note: If your bearing has an external O-ring around
the axle bearing make sure that the bearing
is orientated so that the O-ring is farthest
away from the axle hub. See the illustration
to the left.
5: Install a new bearing and bearing retainer and
press into place.
Do not reuse the axle bearing retainer. The retainer
is damaged on removal and must be replaced.
Reusing an old retainer may result in the bearing
coming off of the axle causing an accident with severe
personal injury and/or property damage.
WARNING