GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Rear Axle Disassemble RPO (M41)

Tools Required

    • J 3289-20 Holding Fixture
    • J 3289-21 Differential Holding Fixture
    • J 37769 Differential Holding Fixture Adapters
    • J 8614-01 Flange and Pulley Holding Tool
    • J 22912-O1 Split-Plate Bearing Puller
    • J 22888-D Side Bearing Remover
    • J 8107-4 Differential Side Bearing Remover Plug
    • J 26941 Axle Shaft Seal Remover
    • J 23907 Slide Hammer
  1. Install the mount differential carrier into theJ 3289-21 with the J 37769 .

  2. Object Number: 173722  Size: SH
  3. Place the differential carrier and the holding fixture into the J 3289-20 .
  4. Inscribe alignment marks on the differential side bearing caps to ensure proper assembly.

  5. Object Number: 173723  Size: SH
  6. Remove the 2 bolts (1) and the side bearing lock plates (2) from the side bearing caps.

  7. Object Number: 173724  Size: SH
  8. Remove the 4 bolts (2) and the side bearing caps (1) from the differential carrier.

  9. Object Number: 173725  Size: SH
  10. Remove the side bearing adjusters (6) and the bearing races (3) from the differential carrier.
  11. Remove the differential ring gear and the case from the differential carrier.
  12. Turn the differential carrier and the holding fixture over so that the piston flange nut is horizontal 90 degrees.

  13. Object Number: 173726  Size: SH
  14. Unstake the pinion flange nut (1).

  15. Object Number: 173727  Size: SH
  16. Remove the pinion flange nut (1) from the pinion gear using the J 8614-01 to hold the pinion flange stationary.

  17. Object Number: 173728  Size: SH
  18. Remove the pinion gear (1) from the differential carrier.

  19. Object Number: 173730  Size: MH
  20. Remove the pinion seal (1) from the differential carrier using the J 26941 with the J 23907 .

  21. Object Number: 173729  Size: SH
  22. Remove the outer pinion bearing (1) from the differential carrier.

  23. Object Number: 173731  Size: SH
  24. Remove the inner pinion bearing races (1) from the differential carrier using a large drift punch and a hammer. Tap around the rear of each bearing race and slowly drive each race out evenly.

  25. Object Number: 173732  Size: SH
  26. Remove the outer pinion bearing races (1) from the differential carrier using a large drift punch and a hammer. Tap around the rear of each bearing race and slowly drive each race out evenly.

  27. Object Number: 173734  Size: SH
  28. Remove the side bearings (1) from the differential case using the J 22888-D with the J 8107-4 .

  29. Object Number: 173733  Size: SH
  30. Remove the 10 bolts and the ring gear (1) from the differential case (2).
  31. Separate the right and left differential case halves.
  32. Remove the roll pin from the right differential case using a hammer and a standard drift punch.
  33. Disassemble the following parts:
  34. • The side gears and washers
    • The differential pinion gears and washers
    • The cross shafts
    • The pinion cross shaft joint

    Object Number: 173736  Size: SH
  35. Remove the inner pinion bearing (2) and the collapsible spacer from the pinion gear shaft using the J 22912-O1 . Place the J 22912-O1 on the pinion gear shaft with the concave side toward the pinion gear. Then place the pinion gear (3) in a hydraulic press (1) and remove the inner pinion bearing.
  36. Remove the pinion selective shim from the pinion gear shaft.
  37. Important: Do not spin dry the roller bearings with compressed air.

  38. Clean all parts thoroughly with clean solvent and air dry.

  39. Object Number: 173738  Size: SH
  40. Inspect the differential carrier (1) and case for cracks or stripped threads and repair or replace as necessary.

  41. Object Number: 173740  Size: SH

    Important: Differential components are set to very close tolerances and are prone to wear should one component fail. In order to ensure accurate adjustment and even wear, the ring and pinion gears as well as all tapered roller bearings and races must be replaced as sets.

  42. Inspect the ring (2) and pinion (1) gears for excessive or unusual wear, cracks, overheating or other damage and replace as necessary.
  43. Inspect all roller bearings and races for roughness, locking, or other wear or damage. Replace defective parts as necessary.
  44. Inspect the side and differential pinion gears for unusual wear or damage. Replace defective parts as necessary.

Rear Axle Disassemble RPO (M59)

Tools Required

    • J 3289-20 Holding Fixture
    • J 3289-21 Differential Holding Fixture
    • J 37769 Differential Holding Fixture Adapters
    • J 8614-01 Flange and Pulley Holding Tool
    • J 22912-O1 Split-Plate Bearing Puller
    • J 22888-D Side Bearing Remover
    • J 8107-4 Differential Side Bearing Remover Plug
    • J 26941 Axle Shaft Seal Remover
    • J 23907 Slide Hammer
  1. Install the mount differential carrier into theJ 3289-21 with the J 37769 .

  2. Object Number: 173722  Size: SH
  3. Place the differential carrier and the holding fixture into the J 3289-20 .
  4. Inscribe alignment marks on the differential side bearing caps to ensure proper assembly.

  5. Object Number: 173723  Size: SH
  6. Remove the 2 bolts (1) and the side bearing lock plates (2) from the side bearing caps.

  7. Object Number: 173724  Size: SH
  8. Remove the 4 bolts (2) and the side bearing caps (1) from the differential carrier.

  9. Object Number: 173725  Size: SH
  10. Remove the side bearing adjusters (6) and the bearing races (3) from the differential carrier.
  11. Remove the differential ring gear and the case from the differential carrier.
  12. Turn the differential carrier and the holding fixture over so that the piston flange nut is horizontal 90 degrees.

  13. Object Number: 173726  Size: SH
  14. Unstake the pinion flange nut (1).

  15. Object Number: 173727  Size: SH
  16. Remove the pinion flange nut (1) from the pinion gear using the J 8614-01 to hold the pinion flange stationary.

  17. Object Number: 173728  Size: SH
  18. Remove the pinion gear (1) from the differential carrier.

  19. Object Number: 173730  Size: MH
  20. Remove the pinion seal (1) from the differential carrier using the J 26941 with the J 23907 .

  21. Object Number: 173729  Size: SH
  22. Remove the outer pinion bearing (1) from the differential carrier.

  23. Object Number: 173731  Size: SH
  24. Remove the inner pinion bearing races (1) from the differential carrier using a large drift punch and a hammer. Tap around the rear of each bearing race and slowly drive each race out evenly.

  25. Object Number: 173732  Size: SH
  26. Remove the outer pinion bearing races (1) from the differential carrier using a large drift punch and a hammer. Tap around the rear of each bearing race and slowly drive each race out evenly.

  27. Object Number: 173734  Size: SH
  28. Remove the side bearings (1) from the differential case using the J 22888-D with the J 8107-4 .

  29. Object Number: 173733  Size: SH
  30. Remove the 10 bolts and the ring gear (1) from the differential case (2).

  31. Object Number: 629777  Size: SH
  32. Remove the 8 bolts (1).
  33. Separate the right and left differential case halves.

  34. Object Number: 173735  Size: SH
  35. Remove 3 roll pins (1) from the right differential case using a hammer and a standard drift punch.
  36. Disassemble the following parts:
  37. • The side gears and washers
    • The differential pinion gears and washers
    • The cross shafts
    • The pinion cross shaft joint

    Object Number: 173736  Size: SH
  38. Remove the inner pinion bearing (2) and the collapsible spacer from the pinion gear shaft using the J 22912-O1 . Place the J 22912-O1 on the pinion gear shaft with the concave side toward the pinion gear. Then place the pinion gear (3) in a hydraulic press (1) and remove the inner pinion bearing.
  39. Remove the pinion selective shim from the pinion gear shaft.
  40. Important: Do not spin dry the roller bearings with compressed air.

  41. Clean all parts thoroughly with clean solvent and air dry.

  42. Object Number: 173738  Size: SH
  43. Inspect the differential carrier (1) and case for cracks or stripped threads and repair or replace as necessary.

  44. Object Number: 173740  Size: SH

    Important: Differential components are set to very close tolerances and are prone to wear should one component fail. In order to ensure accurate adjustment and even wear, the ring and pinion gears as well as all tapered roller bearings and races must be replaced as sets.

  45. Inspect the ring (2) and pinion (1) gears for excessive or unusual wear, cracks, overheating or other damage and replace as necessary.
  46. Inspect all roller bearings and races for roughness, locking, or other wear or damage. Replace defective parts as necessary.
  47. Inspect the side and differential pinion gears for unusual wear or damage. Replace defective parts as necessary.