Differential Replacement 10.5 Inch Axle

Special Tools

J 24429 Side Bearing Backlash Spanner

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
2. Remove the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement .
3. Remove the rear axle housing cover and the gasket. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement .



4. Remove the differential bearing adjuster nut retainers.



5. Remove the bearing caps and bolts. Mark the bearing caps left and right.

Caution: To prevent personal injury and/or component damage, support the differential case when removing the case from the axle housing. If the case is not supported, the differential case could fall and cause personal injury or damage to the differential case.

Notice: When removing the differential case from the axle housing, do not damage the cover gasket surface. If the cover gasket surface is damaged, lubricant may leak from the axle and cause premature failure of the axle assembly.

6. Loosen the adjusters using the J 24429 .



7. Remove the differential.
8. Remove the bearing cups.

Mark the cups left and right. Place the cups with the bearing caps.

9. Remove the differential side bearings, if necessary. Refer to Differential Side Bearings Replacement .
10. Remove the ring gear, if necessary. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement .

1. Install the ring gear, if necessary. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement .
2. Install the differential side bearings, if necessary. Refer to Differential Side Bearings Replacement .
3. Lubricate the differential side bearings with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .



4. Place the case, with the bearing cups installed, into the axle housing.

Support the case in order to keep the case from falling out of the axle housing.




5. Install the bearing caps and the bolts.

Do not torque the bearing cap bolts at this time.




6. Turn the adjusters evenly on each side using the J 24429 until snug against the differential.
7. Adjust the differential side bearing preload. Refer to Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment .
8. Adjust the backlash. Refer to Backlash Adjustment .
9. Perform a gear tooth contact pattern check. Refer to Gear Tooth Contact Pattern Inspection .

Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

10. Tighten the bearing cap bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the bearing cap bolts to 185 N·m (136 lb ft) .

11. Install the axle shafts and new gaskets. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement .
12. Install the rear axle housing cover and a new gasket. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement .
13. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Approximate Fluid Capacities and Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .
14. Remove the lower the vehicle.

Differential Replacement 8.6 Inch Axle

Special Tools

J 24429 Side Bearing Backlash Spanner

Important: Group and mark the shims together as originally removed. If you remove or replace the ring and pinion gear set, perform the bearing preload, backlash, and gear tooth contact pattern check in order to ensure proper contact of the gears. If you reinstall or replace the differential carrier without replacing any other component (i.e. pinion and ring gear set, bearings. etc.) then you may reinstall the carrier with the original shims in their original locations. Always perform a gear tooth contact pattern check, even when you remove only the carrier.

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
2. Remove the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement.



3. Install the pinion shaft into the differential case part way and rotate the differential assembly until the pinion shaft contact the top of the axle housing.

Notice: Refer to Differential Housing Cover and Gasket Removal Notice in the Preface section.

4. Rotate the drive pinion clockwise in order to force the differential assembly out of the axle housing.
5. Remove the differential assembly.

Important: Mark the cups and shims left and right and in the proper order as necessary. Place the cups and the shims with the bearing caps.

6. Remove the bearing cups, the shims, and the spacers as necessary.
7. Remove the differential side bearings, if necessary. Refer to Differential Side Bearings Replacement.
8. Remove the ring gear, if necessary. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement.

1. Install the ring gear, if necessary. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement.
2. Install the differential side bearings, if necessary. Refer to Differential Side Bearings Replacement.
3. Lubricate the differential side bearings with axle lubricant. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations.




Important: Support the case in order to keep the case from falling out of the axle housing.

4. Place the case, with the bearing cups installed, into the axle housing.



5. Install the bearing caps and the bolts. Do not torque the bearing cap bolts at this time.
6. Adjust the differential side bearing preload. Refer to Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment.
7. Adjust the backlash. Refer to Backlash Adjustment.
8. Perform a gear tooth contact pattern check. Refer to Gear Tooth Contact Pattern Inspection.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

9. Tighten the bearing cap bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the bearing cap bolts to 75 N·m (55 lb ft)

10. Install the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement.
11. Fill the axle with the proper lubricant. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement.
12. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.