Tools Required

1. Use J 5590 in order to install the inner drive pinion gear bearing (1) onto the drive pinion gear (2).



2. Use J 8092 and J 29609 in order to drive the inner bearing race (1) into the rear axle housing, if the inner drive pinion gear bearing was replaced.
3. Install the new drive pinion gear bearing spacer onto the drive pinion gear.

Tools Required

1. Use J 8092 and J 7817 in order to install the drive pinion gear outer bearing race into the rear axle housing if you remove the pinion gear outer bearing race.
2. Install the drive pinion gear outer bearing into the rear axle housing.
3. Install the differential drive pinion gear seal.

Tools Required

J 7817 Front Pinion Bearing Cup Installer

1. If a new ring gear and a new drive pinion gear will be installed, measure the differential drive pinion gear depth. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment .
2. Install the drive pinion gear into the rear axle housing.



3. Use J 7817 in order to install the new drive pinion gear seal (1).
4. Apply pipe sealant (GM P/N 12346004) or an equivalent onto the pinion shaft splines.
5. Install the drive pinion gear yoke.
6. Install the drive pinion gear washer and nut.

Finger tighten the drive pinion gear washer and nut.

7. Perform the following actions in order to tighten the drive pinion gear nut.

•	Hold the drive pinion gear yoke in place.

•	Rotate the drive pinion gear in order to seat the inner and outer drive pinion gear bearings.

•	While rotating the drive pinion gear, tighten the drive pinion gear nut until the end play is taken up.

Important: 

•	Preload specifications are being approached when the following conditions occur:

-	The holder will no longer pivot freely as the drive pinion gear rotates.

-	No further end play exists

-	Do not attempt further tightening until after measuring the preload if the above conditions exist.

•	Exceeding the preload specifications will compress the collapsible drive pinion gear bearing spacer too far.

8. Set the preload to the following specifications on the inner and outer drive pinion gear bearings:

•	1.7-3.4 N·m (15-30 lb in) on new inner and outer drive pinion gear bearings

•	1.0-1.7 N·m (10-15 lb in) on used inner and outer drive pinion gear bearings

9. Rotate the drive pinion gear several times.

Ensure that the inner and outer drive pinion gear bearings seat.

10. Carefully tighten the drive pinion gear nut.
11. Continue to gradually tighten the drive pinion gear nut.

Measure the preload after each tightening.

(Additional tightening of the drive pinion gear nut may add additional torque.

12. Measure the preload again.
13. Reset the preload to specifications if the preload decreased by rotating the drive pinion gear.
14. Install the differential case. Refer to Rear Axle Assemble .