GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Special Tools

    • J 23423-A Case Bearing Race Installer
    • J 33782 Pinion Oil Seal Installer
    • J 33785 Pinion Bearing Installer
    • J 45224 Side Bearing Adjuster
    • J 45232 Differential Bearing Adjuster Needle Bearing Installer - LH
    • J 8092 Universal Driver Handle - ¾ in - 10
    • J 8614-01 Flange and Pulley Holding Tool
  1. Install the selective shim between the inner pinion bearing and the shoulder of the pinion gear.

  2. Object Number: 651742  Size: SH
  3. Install the inner pinion bearing onto the pinion gear using the J 33785 .

  4. Object Number: 9731  Size: SH
  5. Install the new collapsible spacer onto the pinion gear.
  6. Lubricate the inner and the outer pinion bearings with the proper axle lubricant. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations.

  7. Object Number: 896916  Size: SH
  8. Install the outer pinion bearing.

  9. Object Number: 896918  Size: SH
  10. Install the oil seal by doing the following:
  11. 6.1. Position the oil seal in the bore.
    6.2. Install the J 33782 over the oil seal.
    6.3. Strike the J 33782 with a hammer until the seal flange seats on the axle housing surface.
  12. Install the pinion gear, the selectable shim with inner pinion bearing and the new collapsible spacer, into the left differential carrier case.
  13. Apply sealant GM P/N 12346004 (Canadian P/N 10953480) or equivalent, to the splines of the pinion yoke.
  14. Caution: Refer to Pinion Flange/Yoke Installation Caution in the Preface section.

  15. Install the pinion yoke.
  16. Install the washer and a new pinion nut.
  17. If the new pinion nut cannot be installed, perform the following steps in order to seat the pinion yoke onto the pinion so that the washer and new pinion nut can be installed:

    10.1. Remove the pinion nut washer.
    10.2. Install the old pinion nut.
    10.3. Tighten the nut until a few of the shaft threads show through the nut so that the washer and new pinion nut can be installed.
    10.4. Remove the old pinon nut.
    10.5. Install the pinion nut washer
    10.6. Install the new pinion nut.

    Object Number: 896901  Size: SH
  18. Install the J 8614-01 onto the pinion yoke as shown.
  19. Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

    Note: If the rotating torque is exceeded, the pinion will have to be removed and a new collapsible spacer installed.

  20. Tighten the pinion nut while holding the J 8614-01 .
  21. Tighten the pinion nut until the pinion end play is just taken up. Rotate the pinion while tightening the nut to seat the bearings.

  22. Measure the rotating torque of the pinion using an inch-pound torque wrench.
  23. Specification
    The rotating torque of the pinion should be 1.7-3.4 N·m (15-30 lb in) for new bearings or 1.0-2.3 N·m (10-20 lb in) for used bearings.

  24. If the rotating torque measurement is below 1.7 N·m (15 lb in) for new bearings or 1.0 N·m (10 lb in) for used bearings, continue to tighten the pinion nut.
  25. Tighten the pinion nut, in small increments, as needed, until the torque required in order to rotate the pinion is 1.7-3.4 N·m (15-30 lb in) for new bearings or 1.0-2.3 N·m (10-20 lb in) for used bearings.

  26. Once the specified torque is obtained, rotate the pinion several times to ensure the bearings have seated.
  27. Recheck the rotating torque and adjust if necessary.


    Object Number: 767541  Size: SH
  28. Install the left side differential carrier bearing, print side out, to the left side differential adjuster using the J 45232  (2) and the J 8092  (1).

  29. Object Number: 896917  Size: SH
  30. Install the left inner shaft bearing and the differential bearing adjuster into the left differential carrier case using the J 45224 .
  31. Install the left differential case bearing cup into the left differential carrier assembly case half using the J 23423-A and the J 8092 .

  32. Object Number: 896912  Size: SH
  33. Install the right differential bearing adjuster into the differential case half using the J 45224 .

  34. Object Number: 696524  Size: SH
  35. Install the right differential case side bearing cup into the right differential carrier case half using the J 23423-A  (2) and the J 8092  (1).
  36. Install the differential case assembly into the left differential carrier case half.
  37. Install the right differential carrier case half to the left differential carrier case half.
  38. Do not use sealer at this time.

    If the carrier case halves do not make complete contact, back out the right differential adjuster nut using the J 45224 .

  39. Install the differential carrier case bolts and tighten to 48 N·m (35 lb ft).

  40. Object Number: 724669  Size: SH
  41. Turn the right side differential adjuster nut sleeve clockwise 1½ revolutions using the J 45224 .

  42. Object Number: 896897  Size: SH
  43. Using the J 45224 , turn the left differential adjuster nut sleeve clockwise in order to preload the differential side bearings against the differential side bearing cups and tighten to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).
  44. Rotate the pinion several times in order to seat the pinion and differential side bearings.
  45. Measure the rotating torque of the drive pinion and differential assembly using an inch-pound torque wrench.
  46. Specification
    The rotating torque of the pinion and differential assembly should be 3.4-6.2 N·m (30-55 lb in) for new bearings or 2.8-5.1 N·m (25-45 lb in) for used bearings.

  47. If the rotating torque measurement is below 2.8 N·m (25 lb in) for used bearings, or 3.4 N·m (30 lb in) for new bearings, adjust the differential side bearing preload using the following steps:
  48. 28.1. Place an alignment mark between the differential adjuster nut sleeve and the differential carrier case, left and right sides.
    28.2. Using the J 45224 , turn the left and the right side differential adjuster nut sleeves in or clockwise one notch.
    28.3. Measure the rotating torque of the pinion and differential assembly using an inch-pound torque wrench.
    28.4. Compare the new measurement to the specification listed in step 29, if the rotating torque of the pinion and differential assembly is not within specifications, continue to tighten the left and right side differential adjuster nut sleeves one notch at a time on each side until the rotating torque of the pinion and differential assembly is within specifications
  49. If the rotating torque measurement is above 5.1 N·m (45 lb in) for used bearings, or 6.2 N·m (55 lb in) for new bearings, adjust the differential side bearing preload using the following steps:
  50. 29.1. Place an alignment mark between the differential adjuster nut sleeve and the differential carrier case, left and right sides.
    29.2. Using the J 45224 , turn the left and the right side differential adjuster nut sleeves out or counterclockwise one notch.
    29.3. Measure the rotating torque of the pinion and differential assembly using an inch-pound torque wrench.
    29.4. Compare the new measurement to the specification listed in step 29, if the rotating torque of the pinion and differential assembly is not within specifications, continue to loosen the left and right side differential adjuster nut sleeves one notch at a time on each side until the rotating torque of the pinion and differential assembly is within specifications
  51. Once the specified rotating torque is obtained, rotate the pinion several times to ensure the bearings have seated.
  52. Recheck the rotating torque and adjust if necessary.

  53. Measure the drive pinion to ring gear backlash. Refer to Backlash Inspection and Adjustment.