GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2009 🢒 Express - AWD 🢒 Driveline/Axle 🢒 Rear Drive Axle 🢒 Differential Overhaul

Disassemble Procedure
  1. Remove the differential side bearings. Refer to Differential Side Bearings Replacement.

    2. Object Number: 866503 Size: SH

    Note: The ring gear bolts on the 8.6 and 9.5 inch axles have left-hand threads. The ring gear bolts on the 9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 inch axles have right-hand threads

  2. Remove the gear bolts. Discard the bolts.

    3. Caution: Refer to Ring Gear Removal Caution in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 866502 Size: SH
  3. Using a brass drift and a hammer, remove the ring gear from the differential case.

    4. Object Number: 2118067 Size: SH
  4. For the 8.6, 9.5 and 9.75 inch axle, remove the differential pinion gear shaft bolt (2) and the pinion gear shaft (1).

    5. Object Number: 2118044 Size: SH
  5. For the 10.5 and the 10.75 in axle, use a hammer and the appropriate size drift pin, remove the differential pinion gear shaft pin (2) and the differential pinion gear shaft (1).

    6. Object Number: 2118017 Size: SH

    Note: Mark the top and bottom pinion gears.

  6. Remove the pinion gears (2)  and thrust washers (1) by rolling the pinion gears in the differential case (3).

    7. Note: Mark the left and right pinion gear sand thrust washers.

  7. Remove the differential side gears (5) and thrust washers (4) from the differential case (3).

Assemble Procedure
  1. Lubricant the pinion and side gears with the proper fluid. Refer to Adhesives, Fluids, Lubricants, and Sealers.

    2. Object Number: 2118017 Size: SH

    Note: If the same differential side gears and the thrust washers are to be reused, install the gears and thrust washers in their original locations.

  2. Install the differential side gears (5) and the thrust washers (4) in the differential case (3).
  3. Install the differential pinion gears and pinion gear thrust washers by performing the following steps:
    4. 3.1. Position one pinion gear (2) between the differential side gears (5).
    3.2. Position the second pinion gear (2)  between the differential side gears (5)  directly opposite the of the first gear.
    3.3. Rotate the differential side gears (5) until the pinion gears is directly opposite the opening in the differential case (3).
    3.4. Rotate the pinion gears (2)  toward the differential opening to allow the installation the thrust washers (1).
  4. Rotate the pinion gears toward the opening in the differential case to allow the installation of the pinion gear shaft.

    5. Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 2118067 Size: SH
  5. Install the pinion gear shaft (1) for the 8.6, 9.5 and the 9.75 inch axles.
  6. Install differential pinion gear shaft bolt (2) into the pinion gear shaft (1) and tighten to bolt to:
    7. • For the 8.6 inch axle tighten the bolt to 36 N·m (27 lb ft).
    • For the 9.5 inch axle tighten the bolt to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).
    • For the 9.75 inch axle tighten the bolt to 27 N·m (20 lb ft).

    Object Number: 2118044 Size: SH
  7. For the 10.5 and 10.75 inch axle, install the differential pinion gear shaft (1).
  8. Using a hammer and the proper size drift pin, install the NEW differential pinion gear shaft pin (2).

    9. Object Number: 866505 Size: SH

    Note: The mating surface of the ring gear and the differential case must be clean and free of burrs before installing the ring gear.

  9. Install the ring gear to the differential case.

    10. Object Number: 866503 Size: SH

    Note: The ring gear bolts on the 8.6 inch axle have left-hand threads. The ring gear bolts on the 9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 inch axles have right-hand threads

    Note: Hand start each bolt to ensure that the ring gear is properly installed to the differential case.

  10. Install the new ring gear bolts and tighten the bolts to:
    11. • For the 8.6 inch axle, tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 120 N·m (89 lb ft).
    • For the  9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 inch axles, tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 177 N·m (131 lb ft).
  11. Install the differential side bearings. Refer to Differential Side Bearings Replacement.