1. Raise and suitably support vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Place drain pan under rear axle cover.
3. Remove the rear axle cover and the gasket. Drain the rear axle fluid. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement .
4. Remove rear axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Replacement .



5. Remove the differential carrier bearing cap bolts (2,3).

Important: Move the bearing caps (4) back and forth slightly to loosen and remove. Never use screwdrivers to pry on the parting surfaces of the cap and the housing because surface damage will occur.

6. Remove the differential carrier bearing caps (4).




Important: Group the shims together with the original installed location labeled. If you remove or replace the ring and pinion gearset, perform the bearing preload, backlash, and tooth contact pattern test in order to ensure proper contact of the gears. If you reinstall or replace the differential carrier without replacing any other component (e.g. pinion & ring gear set, bearings, etc) then you may reinstall the carrier with the original shims in the original locations. Always perform a tooth contact pattern test, even when you remove only the carrier.

7. Remove the differential carrier (1) and the shims from the rear axle housing (2).

Tools Required

J 25588 Side Bearing Shim Installer

1. Install the differential carrier and the shims (1) into the housing (2) with the shims in the original location with J 25588 and a deadblow hammer.



2. Install the differential bearing caps (4) and cap bolts (2,3).

Tighten
Tighten the differential bearing cap bolts to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).

3. Perform a backlash adjustment. Refer to Backlash Adjustment .
4. Perform a tooth contact pattern test. Refer to Gear Tooth Contact Pattern Inspection .
5. Install the rear axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Replacement .
6. Install the rear axle cover and the gasket. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement .
7. Lower the vehicle.
8. Road test the vehicle in order to ensure proper differential operation. If any whines or howls are now present, repeat the backlash and contact pattern test.