GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 GMC_Truck 🢒 2007 🢒 Sierra - 2WD 🢒 Preface 🢒 Cautions and Notices 🢒 Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement

Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement 10.5 Inch Axle

Removal Procedure
  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 and the pinion bearings. Refer to Drive Pinion Housing and/or Seal Replacement .

    5. Object Number: 739940 Size: SH
  5. Remove the ring gear bolts. Discard the bolts.

    6. Notice: Refer to Ring Gear Removal Notice in the Preface section.

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

Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 739964 Size: SH
  1. If the differential case has become separated, assemble the differential case by aligning the two arrows inside the differential case as shown.

    2. Important: 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.

    3. Object Number: 739940 Size: SH
  3. Install the new ring gear bolts.

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

    Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice 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.

    5. Tighten
    Tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 165 N·m (122 lb ft).

  5. Install the pinion and the pinion bearings. Refer to Drive Pinion Housing and/or Seal Replacement .
  6. Install the pinion gear bearing retainer. Refer to Drive Pinion Housing and/or Seal Replacement .
  7. Install the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement .
  8. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement .
  9. Lower the vehicle.

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

Special Tools

    • J 22536 Pinion Driver, 8.6 inch, 9.5/9.5LD  inch axles
    • J 44421 Pinion Remover, 11.5 inch axle

Removal Procedure
  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. Object Number: 683960 Size: SH
  4. Install the J 22536 , 8.6 inch or 9.5/9.5LD inch axle, or the J 44421 , 11.5 inch axle as shown.

    5. Ensure that the J 22536 or the J 44421 is firmly seated on the pinion.

  5. Drive the pinion out using the J 22536 or the J 44421 and a hammer.

    6. Strike the J 22536 or the J 44421 slowly. Do not let the pinion fall out of the rear axle housing.


    Object Number: 9731 Size: SH
  6. Remove the collapsible spacer from the pinion. Discard the spacer.
  7. Remove the pinion bearings and the cups. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement .

    8. Important: The ring gear bolts on the 8.6 inch and the 9.5/9.5LD inch axles have left-hand threads. The ring gear bolts on the 11.5 inch axle have right-hand threads.

  8. Remove the gear bolts. Discard the bolts.

    9. Notice: Refer to Ring Gear Removal Notice in the Preface section.

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

Installation Procedure

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


    Object Number: 866505 Size: SH
  1. Install the ring gear to the differential case.

    2. Object Number: 866503 Size: SH

    Important: The ring gear bolts on the 8.6 inch and the 9.5/9.5LD inch axles have left-hand threads. The ring gear bolts on the 11.5 inch axle have right-hand threads.

  2. Install the new ring gear bolts.

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

    Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  3. Tighten the ring gear bolts, Tighten the ring gear bolts alternately and in stages, gradually pulling the ring gear onto the differential case.

    4. Tighten

        • For the 8.6 inch axle, tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 120 N·m (89 lb ft).
        • For the 9.5/9.5LD inch axles, tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 140 N·m (103 lb ft).
        • For the 11.5 inch axle, tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 237 N·m (175 lb ft).
  4. Install the pinion bearing cups. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement .
  5. Determine the selective shim thickness for the pinion gear. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment .
  6. Install the selective shim onto the pinion.
  7. Install the inner pinion bearing to the pinion. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement .
  8. Install a new collapsible spacer.
  9. Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .
  10. Install the outer pinion bearing into the axle housing.
  11. Install the new pinion oil seal. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement .
  12. Install the pinion into the axle housing.
  13. Install the pinion yoke. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement .
  14. Install the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement .
  15. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement .
  16. Lower the vehicle.