GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 GMC_Truck 🢒 2003 🢒 Savana 🢒 General Information 🢒 General Information 🢒 Rear Axle Shaft Replacement

Removal Procedure
  1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  3. Remove the brake caliper. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement .
  4. Remove the rear axle housing cover and the gasket. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement .

    5. Object Number: 156409 Size: SH
  5. Remove the pinion shaft locking bolt.

    6. Object Number: 156410 Size: SH
  6. On axles without a locking differential, remove the pinion shaft.

    7. Object Number: 156411 Size: SH
  7. On axles with a locking differential, remove the shaft part way. Rotate the case until the pinion shaft touches the housing.

    8. Object Number: 156412 Size: SH
  8. On axles with a locking differential, use a screwdriver, or a similar tool, in order to enter the differential case and rotate the rear axle shaft lock (1) until the lock aligns with the thrust block opening (2).
  9. Push the flange of the axle shaft into the axle housing.

    10. Object Number: 897715 Size: SH
  10. Remove the rear axle shaft lock from the button end of the axle shaft.

    11. Object Number: 897719 Size: SH

    Important: When removing the axle shaft, do not rotate the shaft. Rotating the shaft will misalign the gears. Misaligning the gears will make assembly difficult.

  11. Remove the axle shaft from the housing.

Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 897719 Size: SH

    Important: Carefully insert the axle shaft in order to not damage the seal.

  1. Install the axle shaft into the rear axle housing.

    2. Rotate the axle shaft as necessary in order to align the axle shaft splines with the differential side gear splines and engage the differential side gear.


    Object Number: 897715 Size: SH
  2. On axles without a locking differential, place the rear axle shaft lock on the button end of the axle shaft.

    3. Object Number: 156412 Size: SH
  3. On axles with a locking differential, install the rear axle shaft lock (1) on the axle shaft (3) so that the ends are flush with the thrust block (2) as shown.
  4. Pull the shaft flange outward in order to seat the rear axle shaft lock in the differential side gear.
  5. Install the pinion shaft into the differential case.

    6. Align the hole in the pinion shaft with the bolt hole in the differential case.

    Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 156409 Size: SH
  6. Install the new pinion shaft locking bolt.

    7. Tighten

        • For the 8.6 inch axle, tighten the pinion shaft locking bolt to 36 N·m (27 lb ft).
        • For the 9.75 inch axle, tighten the pinion shaft locking bolt to 27 N·m (20 lb ft).
  7. Install the rear axle housing cover and the gasket. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement .
  8. Install the brake caliper. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement .
  9. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  10. Fill the rear axle. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Approximate Fluid Capacities and Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .
  11. Lower the vehicle.