How do you remove rear axles on 2001 Suburban

[rs6er]

Originally Posted by 2000CAYukon

I found these pictures http://www.buickperformance.com/posi.htm, if you look at the 3rd picture, you can see the cross pin and bolt.

The magnet should be cleaned and put back where is was. It is a magnet so it will stay put.

Putting the truck in neutral will help finding the cross pin. Just be sure not to spin the drive shaft or an axle while the pin is out.

//2000CAYukon

Thanks. That was really helpful. I'm guessing I need to rotate the piece the shaft goes into 90 degrees to see the shaft.

[rs6er]

Originally Posted by toddman67

Remove the rear end cover and drain the fluid. Spin the carrier until you locate a 10mm head bolt/pin. Slide the spider gear shaft out until you can see the big C-Clip. Push the axles in and remove the C-Clip retainer. Now you can remove the axle. Insert the spider gear shaft back in until you are ready to re-install the axles.
Use caution when re-installing the spider gear shaft retainer bolt/pin as you will defineatly break it if you over tighten it. It is a good idea to use a little thread lock on the bolt as well. Re-seal the rear end cover and refill with GL-5 rated gear oil.

Hoe do I get the C clips off? They are pretty stiff. By C-clip retainer, you mean the C-clips themselves, right? Do ypu need a special pliers?

[2000CAYukon]

Once the pin is removed, push the axle towards the diff. The c-clip should easily come out. I usually use a magnet to grab it.

EDIT: Found a picture http://www.nastyz28.com/2gcog/tech/c-clip.jpg

//2000CAYukon

[rs6er]

It looks like the clip is really shaped more like a U than a C. That would explain why it could just pull out of the slot with a magnet instead of having to be spread first. Have they ever used a circlip that requires a tool to remove?

[rs6er]

Finally got the clips off!

The hard thing about doing this is that all the weight of the clip forces the open side to face you in the diff. You have to rotate it 180 degrees to be able to lift it off with the magnet. It's tough to know when it's at 180 degrees. Also tough to keep it there. Plus you're working through those crossbars. I felt like a dentist trying to extract a tooth. Before I put them back in, I am going to scribe a line on the edge of each clip, so if I ever revisit them again, I'll know exactly where to put the magnet.

Removed the four bolts holding the backing plates on. Just waiting for new ones to arrive.

Is the axle seal the rubber piece directly outside of the wheel bearing? If so, I'd be dumb not to replace those now, while I can access them easily.