Disassembling a differential to remove the axles on your 1999 K1500 Chevy truck is necessary when repairs, such as axle bearing or ring and pinion gear replacement, are performed. The process is virtually the same on the front differential of the K1500 as it is on the rear differential and can be done in about an hour. Basic hand tools are all that are required for the average home mechanic to complete this project.
Block the front or rear wheels, depending on which differential is being worked on, using wheel chocks. Raise and support the weight of the truck using a floor jack and jack stands placed under the frame. Remove the wheels using a lug wrench.
Remove the two caliper bolts that attach the caliper to the axle flange using a socket and ratchet. Lift the caliper off the brake rotor. Slide the rotor off the axle.
Place the transmission in neutral. Slide a drain pan under the differential and remove the 13 mm bolts that attach the differential cover to the differential using a 13 mm wrench. Pry the differential cover off of the differential using a screwdriver and drain the gear oil into the drain pan.
Remove the 8 mm cross-shaft bolt located on the carrier at one end of the cross-shaft that passes through the center of the small gears in the carrier. Slip the cross-shaft out of the carrier. Push the axles inward, towards the differential, and remove the C-clips located on the ends of the axles in the carrier. Slide the axles out of the differential.
Remove the four 19 mm bolts that attach the carrier to the differential housing and lift the carrier out of the differential housing. Remove the pinion nut that attaches the pinion yoke to the pinion gear using a large socket and breaker bar. Push the pinion gear into the differential housing and lift it out of the housing.
