The axle clips are not obvious to a casual look. There is a round pivot shaft that holds the "spider" gears, the two small ones that are visible as the ring gear and carrier assembly is turned. One small bolt that goes through the carrier housing from right to left keeps the spider gear shaft in place. Once that bolt is removed, the spider gear shaft can be slid out, and the spider gears can be removed. Push the axle shafts toward the center, and a C-shaped clip can be removed from the inboard end of each axle. Then the axles can be slid out of the housing. Inspect the outboard area of the axles where the bearings run for scoring or grooves. Once the seals and/or bearings are replaced, reverse the procedure for reassembly. The two clips you're seeing now are retainers for the side gear adjusting nuts- - - -don't tamper with them!

Edit: Here's a picture:
http://0.tqn.com/w/experts/Chevrolet-Repair-808/2009/11/rear.gif

Jerry


Last edited by Hotrod Lincoln; 07/20/2011 7:35 PM.
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