rear axle removal

[madmax396]

I have an 03' Z71 4x4 suburban. 4.10 gear with posi as standard equiptment. I need to replace the axle bearing but cant figure out how to get the c-clips off the axle ends. Spider gear shaft easily comes out, but the posi mechanism prevents the spider gears from coming out. How are you suposed to get the axles out.

[GM-Tech]

Here's the "official" removal instructions...

 

 

On axles with a locking differential, remove the [pinion] shaft part way. Rotate the case until the pinion shaft touches the housing. (the pinion shaft is what you're calling the spider gear shaft)

 

use a screwdriver, or a similar tool, in order to enter the differential case and rotate the lock (c-clip) until the lock aligns with the thrust block.

 

Push the flange of the axle shaft toward the differential.

Remove the C-lock from the button end of the axle shaft.

 

Important: When removing the axle shaft, do not rotate the shaft. Rotating the shaft will misalign the gears. Misaligning the gears will make the assembly difficult.

[madmax396]

Here's the "official" removal instructions...

 

 

That was so easy it was sick, thanks. To get the axle bearing out of the shaft end do you need a puller?

[GM-Tech]

The bearing is pressed into the housing. Yeah, you'll need a puller of some sort to get it out of there. We have a tool that goes in, then spreads out and we whack it out with a slide hammer.

[skills4lou]

Here's the "official" removal instructions...

 

 

That was so easy it was sick, thanks. To get the axle bearing out of the shaft end do you need a puller?

 

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Madmax,

I've done that one a few times (replacing the seals, not bearings). Until I figured it out it seemed like this:

After I figured it out I was thinking