Axle Assembly Technician at East Coast Gear Supply – Louisburg, North Carolina

We’re hiring an experienced Axle Assembly Technician to build complete vehicle axle assemblies from a bare housing to a fully assembled axle ready for paint. This is a highly technical, hands-on position for someone with real drivetrain experience — the kind of skillset you’d find in a strong differential builder or seasoned mechanic.

You’ll work on a range of axles including Ford 9”, Dana 60/44/80, GM 14-bolt, and various Toyota applications. This role does not include welding.

What You’ll Do

• Assemble axles from bare housing through final assembly, ready for paint.
• Perform complete differential and drivetrain assembly work including:
• Installing bearings, races, seals, yokes, pinions, ring gears, carriers, and axle shafts
• Setting up gear patterns and backlash
• Selecting and installing correct shims and spacers
• Using grinders and cutting tools to cut shafts
• Applying correct torque specs and preloads
• Measuring and verifying tolerances throughout assembly
• Perform precision measurement and setup work using appropriate tools (examples: dial indicator, micrometers/calipers, in-lb torque wrench for preload, etc.).
• Diagnose and correct issues during assembly (pattern issues, preload/backlash conflicts, abnormal resistance, seal/bearing fitment problems, etc.).
• Follow standardized build procedures, checklists, and documentation requirements.
• Maintain a clean, safe, organized work area; care for tools and fixtures.
• Collaborate with team leads/engineering/QA when unique build requirements or issues arise.

Critical Skill: Gear Setup

• Differential setup is not “bolt-together” work. This role requires proven ability to correctly set up gears, including:
• Establishing correct pinion depth using appropriate setup methods
• Setting bearing preload (pinion and carrier) to spec
• Setting backlash to spec and ensuring consistency
• Reading contact pattern (drive/coast) and making informed adjustments
• Understanding how changes to pinion depth/backlash/preload affect pattern, noise, heat, and durability
• Achieving repeatable, quiet, durable setups appropriate for high-load off-road and performance use

Nice to Have

• Significant prior experience building axles/differentials or comparable drivetrain assembly experience (professional or highly verifiable).
• Demonstrated ability to set up ring & pinion gears correctly (pattern, backlash, pinion depth, preload).
• Strong understanding of:
• Bearings, seals, torque procedures, shimming, and tolerance stack-up
• Mechanical troubleshooting and root-cause thinking
• Clean assembly practices and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision once trained on your specific build standards.
• Ability to lift/handle heavy components and work on your feet for extended periods.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building multiple axle platforms (Dana, Ford 9”, 14-bolt, Toyota, etc.).
• Experience with lockers/limited slips/spools and platform-specific setup nuances.
• Experience in a production assembly environment with quality standards and documentation.
• Familiarity with torque-angle procedures, thread locking compounds, sealants, and build best practices.

Physical Requirements

• This is a physical role: standing/walking most of the day, lifting and moving axle components, repetitive hand/arm use, and working with hand tools.
• Must be able to safely lift and maneuver heavy parts (with assistance/lifting devices as required).