GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Rear Axle Shaft Seal and/or Bearing Replacement w/o VSES

Speical Tools

    • J 2619-01 Slide Hammer
    • J 8092 Universal Driver Handle 3/4 in-10
    • J 21128 Axle Pinion Oil Seal Installer
    • J 23690 Axle Shaft Bearing Installer
    • J 44685 Rear Axle Seal and Bearing Remover
    • J 45857 Tone Wheel and/or Bearing Remover

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
  2. Remove the rear tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  3. Remove the rear axle shaft. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement.

  4. Object Number: 1483194  Size: SH

    Important: The following service procedure is for NON-VSES vehciles.

  5. Using the J 44685  (1)  and the J 2619-01  (2), remove the axle shaft seal.

  6. Object Number: 889095  Size: SH

    Important: The following service procedure is for VSES equipped vehicles.

  7. Using the J 45857  (1)  and the J 2619-01  (2), remove the axle seal, bearing, and the tone wheel.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 1483687  Size: SH
  1. Using the J 23690  (1)  and the J 8092  (2), install the axle shaft bearing.
  2. Drive the axle shaft bearing into the housing until the tool bottoms against the tube.

  3. Object Number: 1483200  Size: SH
  4. Using the J 21128 , install the axle seal.
  5. Drive the tool into the bore until the axle shaft seal is flush with the axle shaft tube.
  6. Install the axle shaft. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement.
  7. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  8. Remove the support and lower the vehcile.

Rear Axle Shaft Seal and/or Bearing Replacement w VSES

Tools Required

    • J 8092 Universal Driver Handle - 3/4 in - 10
    • J 21128 Axle Pinion Oil Seal Installer
    • J 23690 Bearing Installer
    • J 2619-01 Slide Hammer
    • J 45857 Tone Wheel and/or Bearing Remover

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  3. Remove the rear axle housing cover. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement .
  4. Remove the axle shaft. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement .
  5. To remove the seal only, use a suitable seal remover.

  6. Object Number: 889095  Size: SH
  7. To remove the axle shaft seal and the bearing together from the axle housing, use the J 45857  (1) and the J 2619-01  (2).

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 695758  Size: SH
  1. Install the axle shaft bearing using the J 23690  (1) and the J 8092  (2).
  2. Drive the axle shaft bearing into the axle housing until the tool bottoms against the tube.

  3. Object Number: 885624  Size: SH
  4. Install the axle shaft seal using the J 21128 .
  5. Drive the tool into the bore until the axle shaft seal bottoms flush with the tube.
  6. Install the axle shaft. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement .
  7. Install the rear axle housing cover. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement .
  8. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  9. Fill the rear axle. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement .
  10. Lower the vehicle.