GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Differential Overhaul 8.6 Inch Axle

Tools Required

    • J 8092 Driver Handle
    • J 21784 Side Bearing Installer
    • J 22888-D Side Bearing Puller Kit

Disassembly Procedure


    Object Number: 680400  Size: SH
  1. Remove the differential side bearings by performing the following steps:
  2. 1.1. Install the differential assembly into a vise.
    1.2. Install the J 8107-2  (1) and the J 22888-20A  (2) as shown.
    1.3. Remove the differential side bearings using the J 22888-20A .

    Object Number: 680402  Size: SH

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

  3. Remove the gear bolts. Discard the bolts.
  4. Notice: 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.

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


    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 lock bolt.
    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.

Assembly Procedure

  1. Lubricate the pinion and side gears using axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations in Maintenance and Lubrication.
  2. Install the differential side gear thrust washers to the differential side gears.
  3. Install the differential side gears and thrust washers into the differential case.
  4. If the same differential side gears and the thrust washers are being used, install the gears and the thrust washers to their original locations.


    Object Number: 680404  Size: SH
  5. Install the differential pinion gears and pinion gear thrust washers by performing the following steps:
  6. 4.1. Position one pinion gear between the differential side gears.
    4.2. Position the second pinion gear between the differential side gears directly opposite the of the first gear.
    4.3. Rotate the differential side gears until the pinion gears is directly opposite the opening in the differential case.
    4.4. Install the thrust washers.

    Rotate the pinion gears toward the differential opening in order to permit the sliding in of the thrust washers.

  7. Install the pinion shaft.
  8. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  9. Install a new pinion shaft lock bolt.
  10. Tighten
    Tighten the new pinion shaft lock bolt to 36 N·m (27 lb ft).

    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: 680451  Size: SH
  11. Install the ring gear to the differential case.
  12. Install the new ring gear bolts.
  13. Hand start each bolt in ensure the ring gear is properly installed to the differential case.

  14. Tighten the ring gear bolts. Tighten the bolts alternately and in stages, gradually pulling the ring gear onto the differential case.
  15. Tighten
    Tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 120 N·m (90 lb ft).


    Object Number: 651740  Size: SH
  16. Install the differential side bearings by performing the following steps:
  17. 10.1. In order to protect the differential case, install the J 8107-2 in the case on the side opposite the bearing installation.
    10.2. Install the J 21784  (2) and the J 8092  (1) onto the differential case bearing as shown.
    10.3. Drive the bearing onto the case using the J 21784 and the J 8092 .

Differential Overhaul 9.5 Inch Axle

Tools Required

    • J 8092 Universal Driver Handle - ¾ in - 10
    • J 22888-D Side Bearing Puller Kit
    • J 29710 Differential Side Bearing Installer
    • J 36597 Side Bearing Puller Pilot - 9.25 inch

Disassembly Procedure


    Object Number: 680400  Size: SH
  1. Remove the differential side bearings by performing the following steps:
  2. 1.1. Install the differential assembly into a vise.
    1.2. Install the J 36597  (1) and the J 22888-20A  (2) as shown.
    1.3. Remove the differential side bearings using the J 22888-20A .

    Object Number: 866503  Size: SH

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

  3. Remove the gear bolts. Discard the bolts.

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


    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 lock bolt.
    4.2. Remove the pinion shaft.
    4.3. Drive the pinion gear thrust washer out from the differential case using a hammer and a brass drift.
    4.4. Roll the differential pinion gears out of the differential case.
    4.5. 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.

Assembly Procedure

  1. Lubricate the pinion and side gears using axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations in Maintenance and Lubrication.
  2. Install the differential side gear thrust washers to the differential side gears.
  3. Install the differential side gears and thrust washers into the differential case.
  4. If the same differential side gears and the thrust washers are being used, install the gears and the thrust washers to their original locations.


    Object Number: 680404  Size: SH
  5. Install the differential pinion gears by performing the following steps:
  6. 4.1. Position one of the pinion gears between the differential side gears.
    4.2. Install the second pinion gear directly opposite of the first gear between the differential side gears.
    4.3. Rotate the differential side gears until the pinion gears are directly opposite the opening in the differential case.
    4.4. Install the pinion gear thrust washers using a hammer and a brass drift.
  7. Install the pinion shaft.
  8. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  9. Install a new pinion shaft lock bolt.
  10. Tighten
    Tighten the new pinion shaft lock bolt to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

    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
  11. Install the ring gear to the differential case.

  12. Object Number: 866503  Size: SH

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

  13. Install the new ring gear bolts.
  14. Hand start each bolt to ensure that the ring gear is properly installed to the differential case.

  15. Tighten the ring gear bolts. Tighten the bolts alternately and in stages, gradually pulling the ring gear onto the differential case.
  16. Tighten
    Tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 140 N·m (103 lb ft).


    Object Number: 651740  Size: SH
  17. Install the differential side bearings by performing the following steps:
  18. 10.1. In order to protect the differential case, install the J 36597 in the case on the side opposite the bearing installation.
    10.2. Install the J 29710  (2) and the J 8092  (1) onto the differential case bearing as shown.
    10.3. Drive the bearing onto the case using the J 29710 and the J 8092 .

Differential Overhaul 10.5 Inch Axle

Tools Required

    • J 8092 Driver Handle
    • J 22888-D Side Bearing Remover Kit
    • J 29710 Differential Side Bearing Installer

Disassembly Procedure

  1. Remove the differential side bearings by performing the following steps:
  2. 1.1. Install the differential assembly into a vise.
    1.2. Install the J 8107-3  (1) and the J 22888-20A  (2) onto the differential side bearing.
    1.3. Remove the differential side bearings using the J 22888-20A .

    Object Number: 739940  Size: SH

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

  3. Remove the ring gear bolts.
  4. Notice: 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.

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

  7. Separate the differential case assembly.

  8. Object Number: 739941  Size: SH

    Important: If the differential pinion gears, the differential side and the thrust washers are to be reused, mark the components so they can be re-installed in their original location in the differential case.

  9. Remove the following from the differential case:
  10. • The thrust washers
    • The differential pinion gears
    • The differential pinion spider

    Object Number: 739943  Size: SH
  11. Remove the differential side gears.

Assembly Procedure

  1. Lubricate the differential side gears and the differential pinion gears with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations in Maintenance and Lubrication.

  2. Object Number: 739943  Size: SH
  3. Install the differential side gears into the differential case.
  4. If the original differential side gears are being used, install the gears in the original location.


    Object Number: 739941  Size: SH
  5. Assemble the differential pinion gears and the thrust washers to the differential spider as shown.
  6. If the original differential pinion gears, the thrust washers and the differential spider are being used, install the components in the original locations.


    Object Number: 739964  Size: SH
  7. Assemble the differential case halves.
  8. Align the arrow in the differential case as shown.

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

  9. Install the ring gear to the differential case.
  10. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 739940  Size: SH
  11. Install the new ring gear bolts.
  12. Hand start each bolt in ensure the ring gear is properly installed to the differential case.

  13. Tighten the ring gear bolts. Tighten the bolts alternately and in stages, gradually pulling the ring gear onto the differential case.
  14. Tighten
    Tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 165 N·m (122 lb ft).

  15. Install the differential side bearings by performing the following steps:
  16. 8.1. In order to protect the differential case, install the J 8107-3 in the case on the side opposite the bearing installation.
    8.2. Install the J 29710 and the J 8092 onto the differential case bearing.
    8.3. Drive the bearing onto the case using the J 29710 and the J 8092 .