Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement 9.75 Inch Axle

Tools Required

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement .
3. Remove the pinion yoke and the pinion oil seal. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement .



4. Remove the thrust washer.



5. Install the J 22536 as shown.

Ensure that the J 22536 is firmly seated on the pinion.

6. Drive the pinion out using the J 22536 and a hammer.

Strike the J 22536 slowly. Do not let the pinion fall out of the rear axle housing.

7. Remove the pinion preload shims from the drive pinion and set aside.



8. Remove the inner pinion bearing cup and the oil deflector using the J 45703  (2) and the J 42176  (1).
9. Remove the outer pinion bearing cup using the J 45705 and the J 42176 .



10. Remove the inner pinion bearing using the J 22912-B and a hydraulic press.
11. Remove the pinion position shim.

1. Install the oil deflector into the inner pinion cup bore.



2. Install the inner pinion bearing cup using the J 45704  (2) and the J 8092  (1).



3. Install the outer pinion bearing cup using the J 7818  (2) and the J 8092  (1).
4. Determine the pinion position shim thickness and the pinion preload shim thickness for the drive pinion. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment .
5. Install the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement .
6. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement .
7. Lower the vehicle.

Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement 10.5 Inch Axle

Tools Required

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
2. Remove the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement.
3. Remove the pinion gear bearing retainer. Refer to Drive Pinion Housing and/or Seal Replacement.
4. Remove the pinion yoke and the oil seal. Refer to Drive Pinion Housing and/or Seal Replacement.
5. Remove the outer pinion bearing.



6. Remove the pinion.



7. Remove the collapsible spacer.



8. Remove the inner pinion bearing from the pinion using the J 22912-B and a hydraulic press.



9. 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.




10. 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.




11. Remove the pinion gear pilot bearing using a brass drift and a hammer.

1. Install the pinion gear pilot bearing using the J 22761 .



2. Install the inner pinion bearing cup into the pinion gear bearing retainer using the J 37624  (2) and the J 8092  (1).



3. Install the outer pinion bearing cup into the pinion gear bearing retainer using the J 8608  (2) and the J 8092  (1).



4. Install the inner pinion bearing using the J 24433 .

Press the bearing on until the cone seats on the pinion.

5. Install a new collapsible spacer.
6. Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations.
7. Install the outer pinion bearing into the pinion bearing retainer.
8. Install a new pinion oil seal using the J 44414 .



9. Install the pinion into the pinion gear bearing retainer.
10. Apply sealant, GM  P/N 12346004 (Canadian P/N 10953480) or equivalent, to the splines of the pinion yoke.



11. Install the pinion yoke.

Align the marks made during removal.

Notice: Refer to Pinion Flange/Yoke Installation Notice in the Preface section.

12. Seat the pinion yoke onto the pinion shaft by tapping it with a soft-faced hammer until a few threads show through the yoke.
13. Install the washer and a new pinion nut.



14. 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.

15. 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.

16. Remove the J 8614-01 .

Important:  Do not apply sealant to the pinion gear bearing retainer at this time.

17. 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.
18. Install the pinion gear bearing retainer to the axle housing.
19. Install the pinion bearing retainer bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the pinion gear retainer bolts to 88 N·m (65 lb ft).




20. 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 .

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. Install the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement.
24. Adjust the differential side bearing preload. Refer to Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment.
25. Determine the selective shim thickness for the drive pinion. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment.
26. Adjust the backlash. Refer to Backlash Adjustment.
27. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement.
28. Lower the vehicle.

Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement 8.6, 9.5/9.5LD, and 11.5 Inch Axles

Special Tools

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
2. Remove the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement.
3. Remove the drive pinion from the axle. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement.



4. Using the DT-47688 and a press, remove the bearing from the drive pinion.
5. Remove the shim.




Important: 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.

6. Using a hammer and a brass drift in the slots provided, remove the outer pinion bearing cup from the axle housing.




Important: 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.

7. Using a hammer and a brass drift in the slots provided, remove the outer pinion bearing cup from the axle housing.

1. Using the J 8611-01 , 8.6 inch axle, or the J 7818 , 9.5/9.5LD inch axle (1), and the J 8092  (2), install the outer pinion bearing cup.



2. Using the J 45870 , 8.6 inch axle, or the J 22306 , 9.5/9.5LD inch axle (2), and the J 8092  (1), install the inner pinion bearing cup.
3. Determine the selective shim thickness for the drive pinion. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment.
4. Install the selective shim between the inner pinion bearing and the shoulder on the gear.




Important: Press the bearing on until the cone seats on the pinion shim.

5. Using the J 22828 or the J 36614 , install the inner pinion bearing.
6. Install a new collapsible spacer.
7. Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations.
8. Install the outer pinion bearing into the axle housing.



9. Using the J 22388 , install a new pinion oil seal.
10. Install the pinion into the axle housing.
11. Apply sealant, GM P/N 12346004 (Canadian P/N 10953480) or equivalent, to the splines of the pinion yoke.




Important: Align the reference marks made during the removal procedure.

12. Install the pinion yoke.

Notice: Refer to Pinion Flange/Yoke Installation Notice in the Preface section.

13. Using a soft-faced hammer, seat the pinion yoke onto the pinion shaft by tapping it a until a few threads show through the yoke.
14. Install the washer and a new pinion nut.

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.

15. Using the J 8614-01 , hold and tighten the pinion nut.

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.




16. Using an inch-pound torque wrench, measure the rotating torque of the pinion.

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 .

17. 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, 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.

18. Once the specified torque is obtained, rotate the pinion several times to ensure the bearings have seated.
19. Recheck the rotating torque of the pinion bearing and adjust if necessary
20. Install the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement.
21. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement.
22. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.