How to Remove the Rear Axle Shafts on a 2000 Blazer

The 2000 Chevy blazer came in a variety of options, all of which included a 4.3-liter V-6 that produced 190 horsepower and 250 foot-pounds of torque. Regardless of the difference between the manual and automatic transmission, the process servicing the rear axle shafts or rear axle housing is the same. The axle shafts connect the rear wheel bearings to the rear differential. To remove either axle shaft, you have to remove the differential cover and replace the differential fluid. The differential requires the use of GL-5 grade 80-W90 weight differential fluid.

Instructions

Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the parking brake. Place the wheel chocks around the front wheels. Loosen the lug nuts for the wheel to be serviced with the lug wrench. Lift the rear of the vehicle into the air with the floor jack. Place the jack stands under the rear axle and lower the floor jack until the vehicle securely rests on the jack stands. Remove the floor jack.

Remove the wheel and tire from the vehicle and set it aside. Remove the drum, if equipped with drum brakes. Remove the caliper and caliper bracket mounting bolts with the socket and ratchet, and hang the caliper from the body with the mechanics wire. Remove the brake rotor, if equipped with disc brakes.

Place the drain pan directly under the rear differential. Remove the differential fill plug with the socket. Place one end of the siphon pump into the differential fill hole. Direct the opposite end of the siphon pump into the drain pan. Siphon as much fluid as possible from the rear differential.

Loosen all of the differential cover bolts with the socket and ratchet, but do not remove them. Carefully pry back on the differential cover by hand and allow any additional fluid to drain into the drain pan. Remove the differential cover bolts and remove the cover from the rear axle housing. Remove the drain pan and store the used fluid in a safe place until it can be disposed of properly.

Remove the pinion shaft lock bolt with the socket and ratchet. Remove the pinion shaft from the differential. Push the axle shaft toward the differential from the wheel side of the axle. Remove the axle shaft c-clip with the pliers.

Remove the axle shaft from the wheel side of the vehicle. If both axle shafts are being removed, mark "L" on the left axle and "R" on the right axle with a paint marker.

Spread some fresh differential fluid over the axle shaft wheel bearing and the axle seal surface. Slide the axle shaft through the wheel bearing and into the axle housing. The splines of the axle shaft must spline properly with the axle side gear.

Install the c-clip into the groove on the axle shaft and pull the axle shaft toward the outside of the vehicle to seat the c-clip into the recessed area of the axle side gear. Slide the pinion shaft into place. Coat the pinion lock bolt with Loctite 242 and install the lock bolt. Tighten the pinion lock bolt to 27 foot-pounds with the torque wrench.

Clean the mating surface of the axle housing and differential cover with the wire brush, until it is completely smooth. Set the new differential gasket into position of the differential cover. Install the differential cover and gasket onto the axle housing and hand-tighten the bolts. Tighten the differential cover to 22 foot-pounds with the torque wrench.

Add fresh 80w90 weight oil to the rear differential until the fluid level is 3/8 of an inch below the fill hole. Install the fill plug and tighten to 24 foot-pounds with the torque wrench.

Place the brake drum over the drum brake assembly, if equipped with drum brakes. Slide the brake rotor over the wheel studs. Remove the mechanics wire and place the caliper and bracket over the rotor. Tighten the caliper bracket bolts to 52 foot-pounds with the torque wrench, if equipped with disc brakes. Place the wheel and tire back onto the vehicle and hand-tighten the lug nuts.

Lift the vehicle off the jack stands with the floor jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground and remove the floor jack. Tighten the lug nuts to 95 foot-pounds with the torque wrench in a crisscross pattern.

Take the used differential fluid to a local parts store or repair shop for disposal. After driving the vehicle, check for any leaks.