Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement 8.6 Inch, 9.5 Inch, 11.5 Inch Axles
Tools Required
• | J 7818 Inner Bearing
Race Installer, 9.5 inch axle |
• | J 8092 Driver Handle
¾ in - 10 |
• | J 8608 Rear Pinion
Bearing Race Installer, 8.6 inch, 11.5 inch axle |
• | J 22306 Pinion Cup
Bearing Installer - Rear, 9.5 inch axle |
• | J 22388 Rear Axle
Pinion Oil Seal Installer, 8.6 inch, 9.5 inch axle |
• | J 24433 Pinion Cone
and Side Bearing Installer, 8.6 inch axle |
• | J 36614 Inner Pinion
Bearing Installer, 9.5 inch axle |
• | J 44412 Pinion Bearing
Installer, 11.5 inch axle |
• | J 44414 Rear Axle
Pinion Oil Seal Installer, 11.5 inch axle |
• | J 44417 Rear Pinion
Bearing Race Installer, 11.5 inch axle |
• | J 45900 Pinion Bearing
Cup Installer, 8.6 in axle |
Removal Procedure
- Raise the vehicle. Refer to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
in General Information.
- Remove the differential assembly. Refer to
Differential Replacement
.
- Remove the drive pinion from the axle. Refer to
Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement
.
- For the 8.6 inch axle, install the J 45871
(1) around the pinion bearing and the J 22912-B
(2) in the inverted position around
the J 45871
.
- Press the bearing off of the pinion using the J 45871
and the J 22912-B
.
- For the 9.5 inch and 11.5 inch
axles, press the bearing off of the pinion using the J 22912-B
.
- Remove the shim.
- Remove the outer pinion bearing cup from the axle housing using a hammer and
a brass drift in the slots provided. Move the drift back and forth between one side
of the cup and the other in order to work the cups out of the housing evenly.
- Remove the inner pinion bearing cup from the axle housing using a hammer and
a brass drift in the slots provided. Move the drift back and forth between one side
of the cup and the other in order to work the cups out of the housing evenly.
Installation Procedure
- Install the outer pinion bearing cup using
the J 8611-01
, 8.6 inch
axle, or the J 7818
, 9.5 inch
axle, or the J 8608
(11.5 inch
axle) (2) and the J 8092
(1).
- Install
the inner pinion bearing cup using the J 45900
, 8.6 inch axle, or the J 22306
, 9.5 inch axle, or the J 44417
, 11.5 inch axle (2) and the J 8092
(1).
- Determine the selective shim thickness for the pinion. Refer to
Pinion Depth Adjustment
.
- Install the selective shim between the inner
pinion bearing and the shoulder on the gear.
- Install the inner pinion bearing using the J 24433
, 8.6 inch axle, or the J 36614
, 9.5 inch axle, or the J 44412
, 11.5 inch axle.
Press the bearing on until the cone seats on the pinion shim.
- Install a new collapsible spacer.
- Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid.
Refer to
Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations
in
Maintenance and Lubrication.
- Install the outer pinion bearing into the axle housing.
- Install a new pinion oil seal using the J 22388
, 8.6 inch, 9.5 inch
axles, or the J 44414
, 11.5 inch
axle.
- Install the pinion into the axle housing.
- Apply sealant, GM P/N 12346004 (Canadian P/N 10953480)
or equivalent, to the splines of the pinion yoke.
- Install the pinion yoke.
Align the marks made during removal.
- Seat the pinion yoke onto the pinion shaft by tapping it with a soft-faced
hammer until a few pinion shaft threads show through the yoke.
- Install the washer and a new pinion nut.
- Install the J 8614-01
onto the pinion yoke as shown.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.
Important: If the rotating torque is exceeded, the pinion will have to be removed and a
new collapsible spacer installed.
- Tighten the pinion nut while holding the J 8614-01
.
Tighten
Tighten the pinion nut until the pinion end play is just taken up. Rotate the
pinion while tightening the nut to seat the bearings.
- Measure the rotating torque of the pinion
using an inch-pound torque wrench.
Specification
The rotating torque of the pinion should be between 1.0-2.3 N·m
(10-20 lb in) for used bearings, or 1.7-3.4 N·m
(15-30 lb in) for new bearings .
- If the rotating torque measurement is below 1.0 N·m (10 lb in)
for used bearings, or 1.7 N·m (15 lb in) for new bearings,
continue to tighten the pinion nut.
Tighten
Tighten the pinion nut, in small increments, as needed, until the torque required
in order to rotate the pinion is between 1.0-2.3 N·m (10-20 lb in)
for used bearings, or 1.7-3.4 N·m (15-30 lb in)
for new bearings.
- Once the specified torque is obtained, rotate the pinion several times
to ensure the bearings have seated.
Inspect the rotating torque and adjust if necessary.
- Install the differential assembly. Refer to
Differential Replacement
.
- Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to
Lubricant Change
.
- Lower the vehicle.
Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement 10.5 Inch Axle
Tools Required
• | J 22388 Pinion Oil
Seal Installer - Rear |
• | J 22761 Differential
Side Bearing Installer |
• | J 24433 Pinion Cone
and Side Bearing Installer |
• | J 8092 Universal Driver
Handle - ¾ in - 10 |
• | J 8608 Rear Pinion
Bearing Installer |
Removal Procedure
- Raise the vehicle. Refer to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
in General Information.
- Remove the differential assembly. Refer to
Differential Replacement
.
- Remove the pinion gear bearing retainer. Refer to
Drive Pinion Housing and/or Seal Replacement
.
- Remove the pinion yoke and the oil seal. Refer to
Drive Pinion Housing and/or Seal Replacement
.
- Remove the outer pinion bearing.
- Remove the pinion.
- Remove the collapsible spacer.
- Remove the inner pinion bearing from the
pinion using the J 22912-B
and
a hydraulic press.
- Remove the outer pinion bearing cup using
a hammer and a brass drift in the slots provided.
Move the drift back and forth between one side of the cup and the other in order
to work the cups out of the retainer evenly.
- Remove the inner pinion bearing cup using
a hammer and a brass drift in the slots provided.
Move the drift back and forth between one side of the cup and the other in order
to work the cups out of the retainer evenly.
- Remove the pinion gear pilot bearing using
a brass drift and a hammer.
Installation Procedure
- Install the pinion gear pilot bearing using the J 22761
.
- Install
the inner pinion bearing cup into the pinion gear bearing retainer using the J 37624
(2) and the J 8092
(1).
- Install the outer pinion bearing cup into the pinion gear bearing retainer using
the J 8608
(2) and the J 8092
(1).
- Install the inner pinion bearing using the J 24433
.
Press the bearing on until the cone seats on the pinion.
- Install a new collapsible spacer.
- Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid.
Refer to
Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations
in
Maintenance and Lubrication.
- Install the outer pinion bearing into the pinion bearing retainer.
- Install a new pinion oil seal using the J 22388
.
- Install the pinion into the pinion gear bearing retainer.
- Apply sealant, GM P/N 12346004 (Canadian P/N 10953480)
or equivalent, to the splines of the pinion yoke.
- Install the pinion yoke.
Align the marks made during removal.
Notice: Refer to Pinion Flange/Yoke Installation Notice in the Preface section.
- Seat the pinion yoke onto the pinion shaft by tapping it with a soft-faced hammer
until a few threads show through the yoke.
- Install the washer and a new pinion nut.
- Install the J 8614-01
onto the pinion yoke.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.
Important: If the rotating torque is exceeded, the pinion will have to be removed and a
new collapsible spacer installed.
- Tighten the pinion nut while holding the J 8614-01
.
Tighten
Tighten the pinion nut until the pinion end play is just taken up. Rotate the
pinion while tightening the nut to seat the bearings.
- Remove the J 8614-01
.
Important: Do not apply sealant to the pinion gear bearing retainer at this time.
- Install the original shim to the pinion bearing retainer. If the original shim
is not available, install a 0.41 mm (0.016 in) shim to build pinion
depth.
- Install the pinion gear bearing retainer to the axle housing.
- Install the pinion bearing retainer bolts.
Tighten
Tighten the pinion gear retainer bolts to 88 N·m (65 lb ft).
- Measure the rotating torque of the pinion
using an inch-pound torque wrench.
Specification
The rotating torque of the pinion should be between 1.0-2.3 N·m
(10-20 lb in) for used bearings, or 1.7-3.4 N·m
(15-30 lb in) for new bearings .
- If the rotating torque measurement is below 1.0 N·m (10 lb in)
for used bearings, or 1.7 N·m (15 lb in) for new bearings,
install the J 8614-01
and continue
to tighten the pinion nut.
Tighten
Tighten the pinion nut, in small increments, as needed, until the torque required
in order to rotate the pinion is between 1.0-2.3 N·m (10-20 lb in)
for used bearings, or 1.7-3.4 N·m (15-30 lb in)
for new bearings.
- Once the specified torque is obtained, rotate the pinion several times
to ensure the bearings have seated.
Recheck the rotating torque and adjust if necessary.
- Install the differential assembly Refer to
Differential Replacement
.
- Adjust the differential side bearing preload. Refer to
Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment
.
- Determine the selective shim thickness for the drive pinion. Refer to
Pinion Depth Adjustment
.
- Adjust the backlash. Refer to
Backlash Adjustment
.
- Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to
Lubricant Change
.
- Lower the vehicle.