Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement 8.6 Inch Axle

Special Tools

J 22536 Pinion Driver

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
2. Remove the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement.
3. Remove the pinion yoke and the oil seal. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement.
4. Install the J 22536 as shown.




Note: Ensure that the J 22536 driver is firmly seated on the pinion.

Note:  Do not let the pinion fall out of the rear axle housing.

5. Using the J 22536 driver and a hammer, remove drive the pinion.



6. Remove and discard the collapsible spacer from the pinion.
7. Remove the drive pinion bearings. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement.




Note: The ring gear bolts have left-hand threads.

8. Remove and discard the ring gear bolts.

Caution: Refer to Ring Gear Removal Caution in the Preface section.




9. Using a brass drift and a hammer, remove the ring gear from the differential.

Note: The mating surface of the ring gear and the differential case must be clean and free of burrs before installing the ring gear.




1. Install the ring gear to the differential case.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.





Note: The ring gear bolts have left-hand threads.

2. Hand start each bolt of the NEW ring gear bolts and then tighten in sequence to 20 N·m (89 lb ft).
3. Install the pinion bearing. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement.
4. Determine the selective shim thickness for the pinion gear. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment.
5. Install the selective shim onto the pinion.
6. Install a new collapsible spacer.
7. Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations.
8. Install the outer pinion bearing into the axle housing.
9. Install the new pinion oil seal. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement.
10. Install the pinion into the axle housing.
11. Install the pinion yoke. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement.
12. Install the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement.
13. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement.
14. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.

Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement 9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 Inch Axles

Special Tools

J 22536 Pinion Driver

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
2. Remove the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement.
3. Remove the drive 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 and the pinion position shim. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement.




Note: The ring gear bolts have right-hand threads.

9. Remove the ring gear bolts. Discard the bolts.

Caution: Refer to Ring Gear Removal Caution in the Preface section.




10. Remove the ring gear from the differential case. Drive the gear off with a brass drift if necessary.

1. Determine the pinion position shim thickness and the pinion preload shim thickness for the drive pinion gear. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment.




Note: The mating surface of the ring gear and the differential case must be clean and free of burrs before installing the ring gear.

2. Install the ring gear to the differential case.

Align the holes in the differential case to the bolts holes in the ring gear.

Note: The ring gear bolts have right-hand threads.




3. Install the new ring gear bolts.

Hand start each bolt to ensure that the ring gear is properly installed to the differential case.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

4. Tighten the new ring gear bolts. Tighten the ring gear bolts alternately and in stages, gradually pulling the ring gear onto the differential case. Tighten the new ring gear bolts to 177 N·m (131 lb ft).
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.