GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement 8.6 Inch, 9.5 Inch Axle

Tools Required

    • J 7818 Inner Bearing Race Installer
    • J 8092 Universal Driver Handle ¾ in-10
    • J 8608 Rear Pinion Bearing Race Installer
    • J 8611-01 Rear Pinion Bearing Race Installer
    • J 22306 Pinion Cup Bearing Installer - Rear
    • J 22912-B Split Plate Bearing Puller
    • J 24433 Pinion Cone and Side Bearing Installer
    • J 36614 Inner Pinion Bearing Installer

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  3. Remove the brake drums. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement in Drum Brakes.
  4. Remove the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement .
  5. Remove the differential. Refer to Differential Replacement .
  6. Remove the drive pinion from the axle. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement .

  7. Object Number: 680110  Size: SH
  8. Press the bearing off of the pinion using theJ 22912-B .
  9. Remove the shim.
  10. Remove the drive pinion bearing cups 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


    Object Number: 684196  Size: SH
  1. Install the outer pinion bearing cup using the J 8611-01 (8.6 inch axle) (2), or the J 7818 (9.5 inch axle) (2) and the J 8092  (1).

  2. Object Number: 651743  Size: SH
  3. Install the inner pinion bearing cup using the J 8608 (8.6 inch axle) (2), or the J 22306 (9.5 inch axle) (2) and the J 8092  (1).
  4. Determine the selective shim thickness for the pinion. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment .

  5. Object Number: 651742  Size: SH
  6. Install the selective shim between the inner pinion bearing and the shoulder on the gear.
  7. Install the inner pinion bearing using the J 24433 (8.6 inch axle) or the J 36614 (9.5 inch axle).
  8. Press the bearing on until the cone seats on the pinion shim.

  9. Install a new collapsible spacer.
  10. Install the pinion into the axle housing.
  11. Install the outer pinion bearing onto the pinion.
  12. Install a new pinion oil seal and the pinion yoke. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement .
  13. Install the differential. Refer to Differential Replacement .
  14. Install the brake drums. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement in Drum Brakes.
  15. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  16. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Approximate Fluid Capacities and Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations in Maintenance and Lubrication.
  17. Lower the vehicle.

Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement 11 Inch Axle

Tools Required

    • J 29721 Differential Side Bearing Remover
    • J 29721-70 Side Bearing Adapters
    • J 39331 Outer Bearing Race Remover
    • J 44417 Rear Pinion Bearing Race Installer
    • J 8092 Driver Handle
    • J 8608 Rear Pinion Bearing Race Installer

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Remove the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement .
  3. Remove the differential case assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement .
  4. Remove the pinion yoke and the pinion oil seal. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement .
  5. Remove the pinion thrust washer and the outer pinion bearing.
  6. Remove the drive pinion from the axle using a soft-faced hammer.
  7. Remove the pinion preload shims from the drive pinion and set aside.
  8. Important: The oil baffle must be replaced anytime the inner pinion bearing cup is removed.

  9. Remove the inner pinion bearing cup and the oil baffle using the J 3940 and the J 8092 .
  10. Remove the outer pinion bearing cup using the J 39331 and the J 8092 .

  11. Object Number: 168059  Size: SH
  12. Remove the inner pinion bearing using the J 29721 and the J 29721-70 .
  13. Remove the pinion position shim.

Installation Procedure

    Important: A new pinion oil baffle must be installed anytime the inner pinion bearing cup is removed.

  1. Install the pinion oil baffle into the inner pinion bearing cup bore.
  2. Install the inner pinion bearing cup using the J 44417 and the J 8092 .
  3. Install the outer pinion bearing cup using the J 8608 and the J 8092 .
  4. Determine the pinion position shim thickness and the pinion preload shims thickness for the drive pinion. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment .
  5. Install the differential case assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement .
  6. Install the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement .
  7. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Lubricant Change .
  8. Lower the vehicle.

Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement 10.5 Inch Axle

Tools Required

    • J 22761 Differential Side Bearing Installer
    • J 22912-B Split Plate Bearing Puller
    • J 24433 Pinion Cone and Side Bearing Installer
    • J 37624 Pinon Bearing Installer
    • J 8092 Universal Driver Handle ¾ in-10
    • J 8608 Rear Pinion Bearing Race Installer

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Remove the differential. 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. Object Number: 694822  Size: SH
  7. Remove the pinion using a hydraulic press.

  8. Object Number: 739955  Size: SH
  9. Remove the collapsible spacer.

  10. Object Number: 680110  Size: SH
  11. Remove the inner pinion bearing from the pinion using the J 22912-B and a hydraulic press.

  12. Object Number: 739944  Size: SH
  13. Remove the outer pinion bearing cup using a hammer and a brass drift in the slots provided.
  14. 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.


    Object Number: 739945  Size: SH
  15. Remove the inner pinion bearing cup using a hammer and a brass drift in the slots provided.
  16. 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.


    Object Number: 694509  Size: SH
  17. Remove the pinion gear pilot bearing using a brass drift and a hammer.

Installation Procedure

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

  2. Object Number: 739952  Size: SH
  3. Install the inner pinion bearing cup into the pinion gear bearing retainer using the J 37624  (2) and the J 8092 (1).

  4. Object Number: 739946  Size: SH
  5. Install the outer pinion bearing cup into the pinion gear bearing retainer using the J 8608 (2) and the J 8092 (1).

  6. Object Number: 739953  Size: SH
  7. Install the inner pinion bearing using the J 24433 .
  8. Press the bearing on until the cone seats on the pinion.

  9. Install a new collapsible spacer.
  10. Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations in Maintenance and Lubrication.

  11. Object Number: 739961  Size: SH
  12. Install the pinion into the pinion gear bearing retainer.
  13. Install the outer pinion bearing onto the pinion.
  14. Install the pinion oil seal and the pinion yoke. Refer to Drive Pinion Housing and/or Seal Replacement .
  15. Install the pinion gear bearing retainer. Refer to Drive Pinion Housing and/or Seal Replacement .
  16. Install the differential. Refer to Differential Replacement .
  17. Lower the vehicle.