bearing can be installed on the shaft or in the axle tube.
Axle bearings that are installed on the shaft are
usually packed with grease. An axle seal is pressed into the
housing behind, or on the inboard side of, the bearing. The
lip of the seal seats against a machined area of the shaft.
This seal keeps rear end lubricant from reaching the bear-
ing. An outer seal prevents water and dirt from leaking
through the outer ends of the rear axle housing and enter-
ing the bearing.
Axle bearings that are installed in the housing are
lubricated by rear end lubricant (gear oil). When the vehi-
cle makes a turn, lubricant is thrown outward from the car-
rier, reaching the axle bearing. An axle seal is installed in
front of, or on the outboard side of, the bearing to keep
lubricant from leaking out from the outer ends of the rear
axle housing. The shaft is held in place by a clip as
explained in the next section.
An axle bearing installed on the shaft is held in place by
an axle collar. The axle collar is tightly pressed on the shaft.
In addition, some will have a spacer to keep the bearing at
the proper distance from the end of the axle. The axle retainer
plate holds the axle and axle bearing to the axle tube.
Semi-floating axles
Solid drive axles can be semi-floating or full-floating.
Most automobiles and light trucks have semi-floating
axles. In the semi-floating axle, the weight of the vehicle
326 Manual Drive Trains and Axles
Axle flange
Seal
Axle bearing
Screw
Collapsible
spacer
Cup
Pinion
yoke Nut
Washer
Seal
Cone and rollers
Axle flange
Stud
Seal Axle
bearing
Axle tube
Washer
Screw
Lock
Cap
Adjuster
Cup
Bolt
Cone and
rollers
Shaft
Case
Bolt
Ring and pinion
drive gears
Shim
Cup
Cone and rollers
Adjuster
Washer
Washer
Cup
Cap
Screw
Side gear
Pinion
Washer
Lock
Lock
Side gear
Washer
Plug
Screw
Inspection cover
Figure 16-31. This is an exploded view of an integral carrier rear axle assembly. Notice that most of the moving parts fit inside the
rear axle housing. The inspection cover often contains a fill plug. (DaimlerChrysler)