GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

J 36850 Assembly Lubricant


    Object Number: 16278  Size: SH
  1. Affix the differential side gear thrust washers (686) onto the side gears (687). Apply J 36850 or equivalent.
  2. Install the side gears with the thrust washers into the differential carrier housing (678).
  3. Affix the differential pinion thrust washers (684) onto the pinion gears (685). Apply J 36850 or equivalent.
  4. Install the pinion gears with the thrust washers into the differential carrier housing (678). Rotate the pinion gears into position.
  5. Install the differential pinion shaft (682) into the carrier housing (678).

  6. Object Number: 16280  Size: SH
  7. Align the pin hole on the pinion shaft to the hole in the carrier housing (678).
  8. Using a drift pin and a mallet, install the pinion gear shaft pin (683) into the carrier (678).

  9. Object Number: 16281  Size: SH
  10. Apply J 36850 or equivalent to the inside of a planetary pinion gear (816).
  11. Insert a bearing roller spacer (817) onto the pin of each planetary pinion gear (812). This spacer is used to separate the two rows of bearing rollers.

  12. Object Number: 16284  Size: SH
  13. Install the planetary pinion gear bearing rollers (813) into the planetary pinion gear one at a time:
  14. • Use plenty of J 36850 or equivalent
    • Insert a washer (815) on the bottom of the pinion gear in order to help hold the bearing rollers in place
    • Each pinion gear includes two rows of 22 rollers (44 total) for 3.05/3.06 and 3.29/3.33 ratio differential carriers
    • Each pinion gear includes two rows of 18 rollers (36 total) for 2.86/2.84 ratio differential carriers
    • Occasionally twist the pinion shaft (812) in order to align the rollers (813) and provide an accurate fit

    Object Number: 16346  Size: SH
  15. Install the differential carrier sun gear thrust bearing (676) into the carrier housing (678).
  16. Install two pinion gear thrust washers (814, 815) on each side of the pinion gears (four total). Apply J 36850 or equivalent.
  17. Remove each planetary pinion gear pin (812) from the pinion gears (816). Be careful not to move the rollers out of position.
  18. Install the pinion gear assemblies into the carrier housing.
  19. Important: Be sure to position the pinion gears in the housing in the same way that they were removed.

  20. Install the planetary pinion gear pins (812) into the differential carrier housing (678).
  21. Install the retaining ring (677) for the planetary pinion gear pin into the differential carrier housing (678).