Tools Required

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 calipers. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
4. Remove the brake rotors.
5. Remove the front differential carrier assembly shield, if equipped. Refer to Shield Replacement .
6. Remove the left front differential carrier assembly shield bracket.
7. Reference mark the relationship of the propeller shaft to the front axle pinon yoke.



8. Remove the yoke retainer bolts and the yoke retainers from the front axle pinion yoke.

Notice: When removing the propeller shaft, do not attempt to remove the shaft by pounding on the yoke ears or using a tool between the yoke and the universal joint. If the propeller shaft is removed by using such means, the injection joints may fracture and lead to premature failure of the joint.

9. Disconnect the propeller shaft from the front axle pinion yoke.

Wrap the bearing caps with tape in order to prevent the loss of bearing rollers.

10. Support the propeller shaft and move out of the way as necessary.



11. Measure the torque required in order to rotate the pinion. Use an inch-pound torque wrench. Record the torque value for reassembly. This will give the combined preload for the following components:

•	The pinion bearings

•	The pinion seal

•	The carrier bearings

•	The axle bearings

•	The axle seals




12. Scribe a line (1) on the pinion shaft and the pinion yoke (2). Record the number of exposed threads on the pinion shaft.



13. Install the J 8614-01 onto the pinion as shown.
14. Remove the pinion nut while holding the J 8614-01 .



15. Install the J 8614-2 (2) and the J 8614-3 (3) into the J 8614-01 (1) as shown.
16. Remove the pinon yoke by turning the J 8614-3 (3) clockwise while holding the J 8614-01 (1).

Important: Carefully pry the seal from the bore. Do not distort or scratch the aluminum case.

17. Remove the oil seal using a flat-bladed tool.
18. Remove the dust deflector from the pinion yoke by doing the following:

•	Tap the deflector off the pinion yoke.

•	Clean up the stake points on the pinion yoke.

Important: Stake the new deflector at 3 new equally spaced positions. You must stake the new deflector in such a way that you do not damage the seal operating surface.

1. Install the new deflector and stake the dust deflector onto the pinion yoke.




Important: Drive the seal in straight, not at an angle, as this will damage the aluminum housing.

2. Install the oil seal by doing the following:

2.1.	Position the oil seal in the bore.

2.2.	Install the J 33782 over the oil seal.

2.3.	Strike the J 33782 with a hammer until the seal flange seats on the axle housing surface.

3. Apply sealant, GM P/N 12346004 or equivalent, to the splines of the drive pinion yoke.
4. Install the pinion yoke.

Align the reference marks made during removal.

Notice: Do not hammer the pinion flange/yoke onto the pinion shaft. Pinion components may be damaged if the pinion flange/yoke is hammered onto the pinion shaft.

5. Seat the pinion yoke onto the pinion shaft by tapping it with a soft-faced hammer until a few pinion shaft threads show through the yoke.
6. Install the washer and a new pinion nut.



7. Install the J 8614-01 onto the pinion yoke as shown.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

Important: If the rotating torque is exceeded, the pinion will have to be removed and a new collapsible spacer installed.

8. Tighten the pinion nut while holding the J 8614-01 .

Tighten
Tighten the pinion nut until the pinion end play is just taken up. Rotate the pinion while tightening the nut to seat the bearings.

9. Measure the rotating torque of the pinion. Compare the measurement with the rotating torque recorded earlier.

Tighten
Tighten the pinion nut, in small increments, as needed, until the torque required in order to rotate the pinion is 0.40-0.57 N·m (3-5 lb in) greater than the torque recorded during removal.

10. Once the specified torque is obtained, rotate the pinion several times to ensure the bearings have seated. Recheck the rotating torque and adjust if necessary.



11. Install the propeller shaft to the pinion yoke.

Align the reference marks made during removal.

12. Install the yoke retainers and the yoke retainer bolts to the pinion yoke.

Tighten
Tighten the yoke retainer bolts to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).

13. Inspect the axle lubricant level, and add, if necessary. Refer to Lubricant Level Check .
14. Install the brake rotors.
15. Install the brake calipers. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
16. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
17. Lower the vehicle.