Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement 10.5 Inch Axle

Special Tools

Important: Observe and mark the positions of all the driveline components, relative to the propeller shaft and the axles, prior to disassembly. These components include the propeller shafts, drive axles, pinion flanges, output shafts, etc. Reassemble all the components in the exact places in which you removed the parts. Follow any specifications, torque values, and any measurements made prior to disassembly.

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
3. Remove the rear wheel axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement.
4. Remove the propeller shaft from the vehicle. Refer to Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement



5. Using an inch-pound torque wrench, measure the amount of torque required to rotate the pinion. Record this measurement for reassembly. This will give the combined preload for the following components:

•	The pinion bearings

•	The pinion pilot bearing

•	The pinion oil seal

•	The differential case bearings




6. Place an alignment mark between the pinion and the pinion yoke.



7. Install the J 8614-01 as shown.
8. Remove the pinion nut while holding the J 8614-01 .
9. Remove the washer.



10. Install the J 8614-2 (2) and the J 8614-3 (3) into the J 8614-01  (1) as shown.
11. Remove the pinion yoke by turning the J 8614-3 (3) clockwise while holding the J 8614-01  (1).



12. Using a suitable tool, remove the drive pinion seal (1).

1. Using the J 44414 , install a new pinion oil seal.
2. Apply sealant GM P/N 12346004 (Canadian P/N 10953480) or equivalent to the splines of the pinion yoke.
3. Install the drive pinion yoke.

Align the marks made during removal.

Notice: Refer to Pinion Flange/Yoke Installation Notice in the Preface section.

4. Using a soft faced hammer, tap the drive pinion yoke onto the pinion shaft until a few of the threads show through the yoke.
5. Install the washer and a new pinion nut.



6. 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.

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

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




8. Using an inch-pound torque wrench, measure the rotating torque of the pinion. Compare this measurement with the rotating torque recorded during removal.

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

9. 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.
10. Install the propeller shaft assembly. Refer to Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement.
11. Install the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement.
12. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
13. Inspect and add axle lubricant to the axle housing, if necessary. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection.
14. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.

Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement 8.6 Inch Axle

Special Tools

Important: Observe and mark the positions of all the driveline components, relative to the propeller shaft and the axles, prior to disassembly. These components include the propeller shafts, drive axles, pinion flanges, output shafts, etc. Reassemble all the components in the exact places in which you removed the parts. Follow any specifications, torque values, and any measurements made prior to disassembly.

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
2. Remove the rear propeller shaft. Refer to Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement .



3. Using an inch-pound torque wrench, measure the amount of torque required to rotate the pinion. Record this measurement for reassembly. This will give the combined preload for the following components:

•	Pinion bearings

•	Pinion oil seal

•	Differential case bearings

•	Axle bearings

•	Axle seals




4. Place an alignment mark between the pinion and the pinion flange/yoke.




Important: DO NOT re-use the drive pinion nut. Discard and replace with NEW.

5. Using the J 8614-01 , remove the pinion flange/yoke nut and the washer.




Important: Rotate the J 8614-01 counterwise while holding the J 8614-3 to remove the drive pinion flange/yoke.

6. Using the J 8614-01  (1), J 8614-3 (3), and the J 8614-2 (2), remove the drive pinion flange/yoke from the drive pinion.



7. Using a suitable seal removal tool, remove the drive pinion oil seal from the housing.

1. Using the J 22388 , install the NEW oil seal.



2. Apply sealant GM P/N 12346004 (Canadian P/N 10953480) or equivalent to the splines of the pinion flange/yoke.
3. Align the reference marks on the drive pinion and the flange during the drive flange removal.

Notice: Refer to Pinion Flange/Yoke Installation Notice in the Preface section.

4. Using a soft-faced hammer, seat the pinion flange/yoke onto the pinion shaft by tapping it with a until a few pinion shaft threads show through the flange/yoke.
5. Install the washer and a NEW pinion nut.

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.

6. Using the J 8614-01 , tighten the drive pinion nut.
7. Tighten the pinion nut while holding the J 8614-01 .

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




8. Using a inch pound torque wrench, measure the rotating torque of the pinion. Compare this measurement with the rotating torque recorded during removal.

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

9. 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.
10. Install rear propeller shaft. Refer to Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement .
11. Inspect and add axle lubricant to the axle housing, if necessary. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection .
12. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.