center section with axle tubes extending from either
side. The tubes are pressed into and welded to the
differential housing to form a one-piece axle housing
(Fig. 1).

The axles have a vent hose to relieve internal pres-

sure caused by lubricant vaporization and internal
expansion.

The axles are equipped with semi-floating axle

shafts, meaning vehicle loads are supported by the
axle shaft and bearings. The axle shafts are retained
by C-locks in the differential side gears.

The removable, stamped steel cover provides a

means for inspection and service without removing
the complete axle from the vehicle.

The 8 1/4 axle have a date tag and a gear ratio tag.

The tags are attached to the differential housing by a
cover bolt.

The differential case is a one-piece design. The dif-

ferential pinion mate shaft is retained with a
threaded pin. Differential bearing preload and ring
gear backlash are set and maintained by threaded
adjusters at the outside of the differential housing.
Pinion bearing preload is set and maintained by the
use of a collapsible spacer.

Axles equipped with a Trac-Lok

y differential are

optional. A Trac-Lok

y differential has a one-piece dif-

ferential case, and the same internal components as
a standard differential, plus two clutch disc packs.

AXLE IDENTIFICATION

The axle differential cover can be used for identifi-

cation of the axle (Fig. 2). A tag is also attached to
the cover.

8 1/4 AND 9 1/4 AXLE

3 - 59

OPERATION

The axle receives power from the transmission/

transfer case through the rear propeller shaft. The
rear propeller shaft is connected to the pinion gear
which rotates the differential through the gear mesh
with the ring gear bolted to the differential case. The
engine power is transmitted to the axle shafts
through the pinion mate and side gears. The side
gears are splined to the axle shafts.

9 1/4 AXLES

DESCRIPTION

The 9 1/4 Inch axle housings consist of a cast iron

center section with axle tubes extending from either
side. The tubes are pressed into and welded to the
differential housing to form a one-piece axle housing
(Fig. 3).

The axles have a vent hose to relieve internal pres-

sure caused by lubricant vaporization and internal
expansion.

The axles are equipped with semi-floating axle

shafts, meaning vehicle loads are supported by the
axle shaft and bearings. The axle shafts are retained
by C-locks in the differential side gears.

Fig. 1 8 1/4 Axle

Fig. 2 Differential Cover 8 1/4 Inch Axle

1 – DIFFERENTIAL COVER
2 – IDENTIFICATION TAG
3 – PUSH-IN FILL PLUG
4 – DATE TAG

3 - 60

8 1/4 AND 9 1/4 AXLE

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

The removable, stamped steel cover provides a

means for inspection and service without removing
the complete axle from the vehicle.

The axle has a date tag and a gear ratio tag. The

tags are attached to the differential housing by a
cover bolt.

The rear wheel anti-lock (RWAL) brake speed sen-

sor is attached to the top, forward exterior of the dif-
ferential housing. A seal is located between the
sensor and the wire harness connector. The seal must
be in place when the wire connector is connected to
the sensor. The RWAL brake exciter ring is press-fit-
ted onto the differential case against the ring gear
flange.

The differential case is a one-piece design. The dif-

Axles equipped with a Trac-Lok

y differential are

optional. A Trac-Lok

y differential has a one-piece dif-

ferential case, and the same internal components as
a standard differential, plus two clutch disc packs.

8 1/4 AND 9 1/4 AXLE

3 - 61

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

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