GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 GMC_Truck 🢒 1998 🢒 GMC K Pickup - 4WD 🢒 General Information 🢒 General Information 🢒 Differential Carrier Assembly Replacement

Removal Procedure
  1. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left.
  2. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  3. Place jack or utility stands at the rear end of the vehicle.
  4. Remove the front differential carrier assembly shield, if equipped. Refer to Shield Replacement .
  5. Drain the differential carrier assembly, if necessary. Refer to Lubricant Change .
  6. Disconnect the front propeller shaft from the differential carrier assembly. Refer to Front Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.
  7. Remove the relay rod. Refer to Relay Rod Replacement in Steering Linkage.
  8. Support the differential carrier assembly with a transmission jack or equivalent.

    9. Object Number: 763646 Size: SH
  9. Remove the wheel drive shaft inboard flange bolts from the inner axle shaft, both sides.

    10. Object Number: 834234 Size: SH
  10. Disconnect the electrical connector from the front axle actuator.

    11. Object Number: 924830 Size: SH
  11. Disconnect the wire harness from the inner axle shaft housing.

    12. Object Number: 924846 Size: SH
  12. Disconnect the wire harness from the differential carrier assembly.

    13. Object Number: 834272 Size: SH
  13. Disconnect the vent hose from the differential carrier assembly.

    14. Object Number: 834241 Size: SH
  14. Remove the inner axle housing nuts and washers from the bracket.

    15. Object Number: 834276 Size: SH
  15. Remove the differential carrier assembly upper mounting bolt and the nut.
  16. Pivot the differential carrier assembly forward and down on the lower mount bolt while it is being supported by the transmission jack.
  17. Secure the differential carrier assembly to the jack.

    18. Object Number: 834278 Size: SH
  18. Remove the differential carrier assembly lower mounting bolt and the nut.
  19. Remove the differential carrier assembly.

Installation Procedure
  1. Install the differential carrier assembly.

    2. Object Number: 834278 Size: SH
  2. Install the differential carrier assembly lower mounting bolt and the nut.

    3. Do not tighten the bolt at this time.

  3. Pivot the differential carrier assembly up and back on the lower mount bolt while it is being supported by the transmission jack.

    4. Object Number: 834276 Size: SH
  4. Install the differential carrier assembly upper mounting bolt and the nut.

    5. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 834241 Size: SH
  5. Install the inner axle housing washers and nuts to the bracket.

    6. Tighten

        • Tighten the inner axle housing nuts to 100 N·m (75 lb ft).
        • Tighten the upper and the lower differential carrier assembly bolts to 100 N·m (75 lb ft).

    Object Number: 834272 Size: SH
  6. Connect the vent hose to the differential carrier assembly.
  7. Remove the transmission jack.

    8. Object Number: 924846 Size: SH
  8. Connect the wire harness to the differential carrier assembly.

    9. Object Number: 924830 Size: SH
  9. Connect the wire harness to the inner axle shaft housing.

    10. Object Number: 834234 Size: SH
  10. Connect the electrical connector to the front axle actuator.

    11. Object Number: 763646 Size: SH
  11. Install the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to inner axle shaft bolts, both sides.

    12. Tighten
    Tighten the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to inner axle shaft bolts to 79 N·m  (58 lb ft).

  12. Install the relay rod. Refer to Relay Rod Replacement in Steering Linkage.
  13. Install the front propeller shaft to the differential carrier assembly. Refer to Front Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.
  14. Inspect the differential carrier assembly fluid level. Refer to Lubricant Level Check .
  15. Install the front differential carrier assembly shield, if equipped. Refer to Shield Replacement .
  16. Remove the utility stands.
  17. Lower the vehicle.