GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

    • J 42168-16 Spacers
    • J 42170 Bearing and Race Installer
    • J 42194 Bearing and Race Remover
    • J 46405 Output Shaft Seal Installer

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 1251943  Size: SH
  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Remove the RH rear tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  3. Remove the RH wheel drive shaft. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Wheel Drive Shafts.
  4. Remove the RH muffler assembly. Refer to Exhaust Muffler Replacement - Right Side in Engine Exhaust.
  5. Drain the fluid from the differential. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement .
  6. Support the differential and remove the right differential mount.
  7. Clean any dirt or debris from around the differential cover.
  8. Remove the bolts retaining the differential cover and push out the dowel pin.
  9. Remove the differential cover .

  10. Object Number: 58038  Size: SH
  11. Remove and discard the axle seal (1), and O-ring seal (4) from the differential cover .

  12. Object Number: 1041734  Size: SH
  13. Install the J 42194 into the differential cover, in order to remove the bearing race and shims. Position the cover into a hydraulic press.

  14. Object Number: 354444  Size: SH
  15. Using a hydraulic press, remove the bearing race (1) and shims (2). Mark or tag the shims for assembly.

  16. Object Number: 893553  Size: SH

    Important: Whenever service requires the replacement of the right side differential cover, the covers MUST be measured and the right side shim pack adjusted to compensate for machining tolerances between the two components. Failure to perform this measurement procedure may result in improper differential bearing preload.

  17. Use a caliper (2), a straight edge (1), and J 42168-16  (3) in order to measure the NEW differential cover bore dimension. Record the measurement as value A.
  18. Use a caliper (2), a straight edge (1), and J 42168-16  (3) in order to measure the old differential cover bore dimension. Record the measurement as value B.
  19. Subtract value B from value A. If the computation is a positive value, add shims equal to the value, to the existing shim pack. If the computation is a negative value, subtract shims equal to the value, from the existing shim pack.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 354444  Size: SH
  1. Install the selected shims (2) and the bearing race (1) to the NEW cover.

  2. Object Number: 1041975  Size: SH
  3. Press the shims and bearing race into the NEW cover using the J 42170 and a hydraulic press.

  4. Object Number: 58038  Size: SH
  5. Clean the O-ring sealing surface on the differential cover and the differential housing.
  6. Install a new O-ring seal (4) to the differential cover (3).

  7. Object Number: 1251943  Size: SH
  8. Install the differential cover to the differential.
  9. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  10. Install the dowel pin and the differential cover retaining bolts.
  11. Tighten
    Tighten the differential cover (right) retaining bolts to 28 N·m (20 lb ft).


    Object Number: 1251661  Size: SH
  12. Install the axle seal into the differential cover using J 46405 .
  13. Fill the rear axle differential with the proper fluids and to the proper level. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement .
  14. Install the RH muffler assembly. Refer to Exhaust Muffler Replacement - Right Side in Engine Exhaust.
  15. Install the RH wheel drive shaft. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement in Wheel Drive Shafts.
  16. Install the RH rear tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  17. Lower the vehicle.