GM 14 Bolt Axle Buildup - 1,000-LB-Ft-Proof Axle

In order to install the ARB Air Locker in our 14-bolt, we used a Genuine Gear ring and pinion master install kit from Drivetrain Warehouse. The kit included new pinion shims (A), a pinion nut (B), pinion seal (C), outer pinion bearing (D), crush sleeve (E), inner pinion bearing (F), pinion support bearing (G), a pair of carrier bearings (H), ring gear bolts, gear marking compound, and a new cover gasket.

We had the axle experts at Off Road Unlimited in Burbank, California, install the ARB Air Locker and a new set of 4.56:1 Genuine Gears in our 14-bolt axle. The buildup began by cleaning the new gears in solvent and pressing the inner bearing onto the pinion.

New races were installed in the 14-bolt's cast-iron pinion support along with a new crush sleeve, outer pinion bearing, seal, and a massive 1410-series driveshaft yoke from Off Road Unlimited. A new nut was used to torque the pinion gear in place and compress the crush sleeve for proper bearing preload.

The 14-bolt pinion gear assembly was then lowered into the axlehousing and shimmed for proper depth using the Genuine Gear pinion shims included in the master install kit.

With the pinion gear in place, the ARB Air Locker was installed, and the 14-bolt carrier-bearing adjusters were screwed into position to set the gear backlash. Genuine Gear recommended a backlash specification of 0.03 to 0.012 inch. Ours came in at just about 0.08 inch.

When the proper backlash was established, the carrier caps were bolted in place. ARB provides this steel plate (arrow) to prevent the copper air line that runs into the locker from getting caught on the driver-side carrier cap.