GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Disassembly Procedure


    Object Number: 866503  Size: SH
  1. Remove the differential side bearings. Refer to Differential Side Bearings Replacement.
  2. Caution: Do not pry the ring gear from the differential case. Prying the ring gear from the differential case may cause damage to the ring gear and/or the differential case.

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

  3. Remove the ring gear bolts. Discard the bolts.

  4. Object Number: 866502  Size: SH
  5. Remove the ring gear from the differential case. Drive the ring gear off with a brass drift if necessary.

  6. Object Number: 680404  Size: SH
  7. Remove the differential pinion gears and the differential side gears by performing the following steps:
  8. 4.1. Remove the pinion shaft pin using a hammer and drift pin.
    4.2. Remove the pinion shaft.
    4.3. Roll the differential pinion gears out of the case with the pinion gear thrust washers.
    4.4. Remove the differential side gears and the side gear thrust washers. Mark the pinion gears top and bottom and the differential side gears left and right.