Differential Carrier Assembly Final Assembly 8.25 S4WD and 9.25 Axles

Tools Required

1. Bend the differential adjuster nut lock tabs over the differential adjuster nut sleeves, 8.25 inch axle - both sides, 9.25 inch axle - right side.



2. Install the differential adjuster nut lock, 9.25 inch axle - left side.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

3. Install the differential adjuster nut lock bolt.

Tighten
Tighten the differential adjuster lock nut bolt to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).




4. Remove the differential carrier assembly bolts.



5. Remove the right differential carrier case half.
6. Clean the sealing surface of each half of the differential carrier case and the inner axle housing to differential carrier assembly.

The surfaces must be clean of all the grease and the oil.

7. Apply a bead of sealer GM P/N 1052942 (Canadian P/N 10953466) or the equivalent to one differential carrier case half sealing surface.
8. Install the right differential carrier case half.
9. Install the differential carrier case bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the differential carrier case bolts to 47 N·m (35 lb ft).

10. Lubricate the clutch shaft pilot bearing with axle lubricant. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations in Maintenance and Lubrication.



11. Install the clutch shaft pilot bearing using the J 33842 .



12. Install the clutch shaft to the differential carrier.



13. Install the vent hose connector.

Tighten
Tighten the vent hose connector to 28 N·m (21 lb ft).

14. Install the new left side axle shaft seal using the J 36600 , 8.25 inch axle, or the J 22833 , 9.25 inch axle.
15. Install the new left side inner axle shaft retainer ring.



16. Install the left side inner axle shaft by doing the following:

16.1.

Install the left side inner shaft into the differential carrier assembly until the inner shaft is seated against the differential side gear.

16.2.

While holding the inner shaft against the differential side gear, turn the inner shaft in order to align the splines of the inner shaft with the splines on the differential side gear.

16.3.

Drive the inner shaft into the differential case side gear using a soft-faced mallet until the retaining ring on the inner shaft is fully seated within the groove in the differential case side gear.

Pull back on the inner shaft to ensure that the inner shaft is properly retained in the differential case side gear.

17. Install the right side bearing by performing the following steps:

17.1.

Install the inner axle shaft housing into a vise.

Clamp only on the mounting flange of the inner axle shaft housing.





17.2.

Install the bearing with the square shoulder in using the J 36609  (1) and the J 8092  (2).

18. Install the right side inner axle shaft seal by performing the following steps:

•	Install the inner axle shaft housing into a vise.

•	Clamp only on the mounting flange of the inner axle shaft housing.





•	Install the new axle shaft seal using the J 36600 , 8.25 inch axle, or the J 22833 , 9.25 inch axle.

19. Install the inner axle shaft into the inner axle shaft housing.

Carefully tap the inner axle shaft into place with a soft-faced mallet.

Important: Use chassis grease in order to hold the thrust washer in place.




20. For the 8.25 inch axle, assemble the following components into the inner axle shaft housing:

20.1.

Install the thrust washer (5) into the inner axle shaft housing (4).

Ensure the tabs on the thrust washer align with the slot in the inner axle shaft housing.

20.2.

Install the new retainer ring (7) onto the clutch gear (6).

20.3.

Install the clutch gear (6) onto the inner axle shaft (1).

Drive the clutch gear into place with a plastic hammer.

20.4.

Determine the clutch gear shim thickness. Refer to Inner Axle Shaft Shim Adjustment .

20.5.

Install the clutch gear shim (9).

20.6.

Install the clutch sleeve (8).

20.7.

Install the clutch fork assembly (11).

20.8.

Install the clutch fork inner spring (10).

Important: Use chassis grease in order to hold the thrust washer in place.




21. For the 9.25 inch axle, install the following components into the inner axle shaft housing:

21.1.

Install the thrust washer (5) into the inner axle shaft housing (4).

Ensure the tabs on the thrust washer align with the slot in the inner axle shaft housing.

21.2.

Install the second thrust washer (6) into the inner axle shaft housing.

21.3.

Install the new retainer ring (7) onto the inner axle shaft (1).

21.4.

Determine the clutch gear shim thickness. Refer to Inner Axle Shaft Shim Adjustment .

21.5.

Install the clutch gear shim (9).

21.6.

Install the clutch sleeve (8).

21.7.

Install the clutch fork assembly (11, 12, 13, 14).

21.8.

Install the clutch fork inner spring (10).

22. Apply sealant GM P/N 1052942 (Canadian P/N 10953466) or equivalent to the inner axle housing to differential carrier sealing surface.



23. Install the inner axle shaft housing to the differential carrier case.
24. Install the inner axle shaft housing bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the inner axle shaft housing bolts to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).

25. Install the drain plug and the washer.
26. Install the fill plug and the washer.

Tighten
Tighten the drain plug and the fill plug to 33 N·m (24 lb ft).

27. Apply sealant GM P/N 12346004 (Canadian P/N 10953480) or equivalent to the threads of the front axle actuator.



28. Install the front drive axle actuator.

Tighten
Tighten the front drive axle actuator to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).




29. Install the lower differential carrier assembly bushing by performing the following steps:

29.1.

Install the J 21474-18 (1), the thrust bearing (2), the J 36616-2 (3), the J 36616-1 (4), and the forcing screw (5) as shown.

29.2.

While holding the forcing screw, slowly tighten the J 21474-18 until the bushing has stopped against the step on the bushing and is centered within the differential carrier assembly bushing bore.




30. Install the upper differential carrier assembly bushing by performing the following steps:

30.1.

Install the J 21474-18 (1), the thrust bearing (2), the J 36616-2 (3), the J 36616-1 (4), and the forcing screw (5) as shown.

30.2.

While holding the forcing screw, slowly tighten the J 21474-18 until the bushing has stopped against the step on the bushing and is centered within the differential carrier assembly bushing bore.

Differential Carrier Assembly Final Assembly 8.25 F4WD Axle

Tools Required

1. Bend the differential adjuster nut lock tabs over the differential adjuster nut sleeves.



2. Remove the differential carrier assembly bolts.



3. Remove the right differential carrier case half.
4. Clean the sealing surface of each half of the differential carrier case and the inner axle housing to differential carrier assembly.

The surfaces must be clean of all the grease and the oil.

5. Apply a bead of sealer GM P/N 1052942 (Canadian P/N 10953466) or equivalent, to one differential carrier case half sealing surface.
6. Install the right differential carrier case half.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

7. Install the differential carrier case bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the differential carrier case bolts to 47 N·m (35 lb ft).




8. Install the vent hose connector.

Tighten
Tighten the vent hose connector to 28 N·m (21 lb ft).

9. Install the new left side axle shaft seal using the J 36600 .
10. Install the new left side inner axle shaft retainer ring.



11. Install the left side inner axle shaft by doing the following:

11.1.

Install the left side inner shaft into the differential carrier assembly until the inner shaft is seated against the differential side gear.

11.2.

While holding the inner shaft against the differential side gear, turn the inner shaft in order to align the splines of the inner shaft with the splines on the differential side gear.

11.3.

Drive the inner shaft into the differential case side gear using a soft-faced mallet until the retaining ring on the inner shaft is fully seated within the groove in the differential case side gear.

Pull back on the inner shaft to ensure that the inner shaft is properly retained in the differential case side gear.




12. Install the right side inner shaft bearing into the inner shaft housing by performing the following steps:

12.1.

Install the inner axle shaft housing into a vise.

Clamp only on the mounting flange of the inner axle shaft housing.

12.2.

Install the bearing with the square shoulder in using the J 36609  (1) and the J 8092  (2).




13. Install the new inner shaft seal using theJ 36600 .
14. Apply sealant GM P/N 1052942 (Canadian P/N 10953466) or equivalent to the inner axle housing to differential carrier sealing surface.
15. Install the inner shaft housing to the differential carrier assembly case.
16. Install the inner shaft housing bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the inner axle shaft housing bolts to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).




17. Install the inner shaft (2) into the inner shaft housing (1) by doing the following:

17.1.

Install the inner shaft into the inner axle shaft housing until the inner shaft is seated against the differential side gear.

17.2.

While holding the inner shaft against the differential side gear, turn the inner shaft in order to align the splines of the inner shaft with the splines on the differential side gear.

17.3.

Drive the inner shaft into the differential case side gear using a soft-faced mallet until the retaining ring on the inner shaft is fully seated within the groove in the differential case side gear.

Pull back on the inner shaft to ensure that the inner shaft is properly retained in the differential case side gear.

18. Install the drain plug and the washer.
19. Install the fill plug and the washer.

Tighten
Tighten the drain plug and the fill plug to 33 N·m (24 lb ft).




20. Install the lower differential carrier assembly bushing by performing the following steps:

20.1.

Install the J 21474-18 (1), the thrust bearing (2), the J 36616-2 (3), the J 36616-1 (4), and the forcing screw (5) as shown.

20.2.

While holding the forcing screw, slowly tighten the J 21474-18 until the bushing has stopped against the step on the bushing and is centered within the differential carrier assembly bushing bore.




21. Install the upper differential carrier assembly bushing by performing the following steps:

21.1.

Install the J 21474-18 (1), the thrust bearing (2), the J 36616-2 (3), the J 36616-1 (4), and the forcing screw (5) as shown.

21.2.

While holding the forcing screw, slowly tighten the J 21474-18 until the bushing has stopped against the step on the bushing and is centered within the differential carrier assembly bushing bore.