Tools Required

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
3. Remove the brake calipers, if equipped. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
4. Remove the brake rotors, if equipped. Refer to Rear Brake Rotor Replacement in Disc Brakes.
5. Remove the brake drums, if equipped. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement in Drum Brakes.
6. Remove the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement .
7. Remove the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement .
8. Remove the drive pinion from the axle. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement .



9. For 7.6 inch axles and 1st design 8.6 inch axles, press the bearing off of the pinion using the J 22912-B .



10. For 2nd design 8.6 inch axles, install the J 45871  (1) around the pinion bearing and the J 22912-B  (2) in the inverted position around the J 45871 .
11. Press the bearing off of the pinion using the J 45871 and the J 22912-B .
12. Remove the shim.



13. Remove the outer pinion bearing cup from the axle housing using a hammer and brass drift in the slots provided. Move the drift back and forth between one side of the cup and the other in order to evenly work the cup out of the housing.



14. Remove the inner pinon bearing cup from the axle housing using a hammer and brass drift in the slots provided. Move the drift back and forth between one side of the cup and the other in order to evenly work the cup out of the housing.

1. Install the outer pinion bearing cup using the J 7817 (7.6 inch axle) or the J 8611-01 (all 8.6 inch axles) (1) and the J 8092  (2).



2. Install the inner pinion bearing cup using the J 29609 (7.6 inch axle) or the J 8608 (1st design 8.6 inch axle) or the J 45870 (2nd design 8.6 inch axle) (1), and the J 8092  (2).
3. Determine the selective shim thickness for the pinion. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment .



4. Install the selective shim between the inner pinion bearing and the shoulder on the gear.
5. Install the inner pinion bearing using the J 5590 (7.6 inch axle) or the J 24433 (all 8.6 inch axles).

Press the bearing on until the cone seats on the pinion shim.

6. Install a new collapsible spacer.
7. Lubricate the pinion bearing with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations in Maintenance and Lubrication.
8. Install the pinion into the axle housing.
9. Install the outer pinion bearing onto the pinion.
10. Install a new pinion oil seal and the pinion flange/yoke. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement .
11. Install the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement .
12. Install the brake drums, if equipped. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement in Drum Brakes.
13. Install the brake rotors, if equipped. Refer to Rear Brake Rotor Replacement in Disc Brakes.
14. Install the brake calipers, if equipped. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
15. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
16. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Approximate Fluid Capacities and Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations in Maintenance and Lubrication.
17. Lower the vehicle.