GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

    • J 22912-B Split-Plate Bearing Remover
    • J 2619-01 Slide Hammer
    • J 29369-2 Bushing and Bearing Remover 2-3 in
    • J 36599-A Side Bearing Nut Wrench
    • J 36615 Side Bearing Nut Wrench
    • J 45754 Pinion Bearing Race Remover/Installer - 9.25 inch Axle
    • J 45755 Front Axle Bushing Remover/Installer
    • J 45765 Pinion Remover - 8.25 inch/9.25 inch Axles
    • J 8614-01 Flange and Pulley Holding Tool

Inspection Procedure

Perform the following before disassembling the axle:

  1. Remove the fill plug from the axle.
  2. Remove the drain plug from the axle.
  3. Drain the axle lubricant.
  4. Inspect the oil and the case for metal chips.
  5. Determine the source of the metal chips, such as a broken gear or bearing cage.

  6. Check the ring gear backlash. Refer to Backlash Inspection and Adjustment .

This information can be used in order to determine the cause of the axle problem. The information will also help when setting up and preloading the differential case.

Determine the cause of the axle problem before disassembly, if possible.

Disassembly Procedure


    Object Number: 865998  Size: SH
  1. Remove the inner axle shaft housing to differential carrier assembly bolts.

  2. Object Number: 866006  Size: SH
  3. Remove the inner axle housing with the inner axle shaft.
  4. Install the inner axle shaft housing into a vise.

  5. Object Number: 863546  Size: SH
  6. Install the J 45755-2 (2), J 45755-1 (1), and the forcing screw, bearing and washers (3) over the inner shaft housing bushing as shown.
  7. Remove the inner shaft housing bushing using the J 45755 .
  8. Remove the inner axle shaft from the inner axle housing using a hammer and brass drift.

  9. Object Number: 856114  Size: SH
  10. Install the J 29369-2 behind the inner axle shaft seal.
  11. Install the J 2619-01  (2) to the J 29369-2  (1).
  12. Remove the inner axle shaft seal using the J 2619-01 .

  13. Object Number: 856120  Size: SH
  14. Install the J 29369-2 behind the inner axle shaft bearing.
  15. Install the J 2619-01  (2) to the J 29369-2  (1).
  16. Remove the inner axle shaft bearing using the J 2619-01 .
  17. Place the differential carrier assembly into a vise.
  18. Clamp only on the mounting flange of the differential carrier assembly case.


    Object Number: 868339  Size: SH
  19. Remove the left side inner axle shaft using a hammer and a brass drift.

  20. Object Number: 868343  Size: SH
  21. Install the J 29369-2  (2) behind the inner axle shaft seal.
  22. Install the J 2619-01  (1) to the J 29369-2  (2).
  23. Remove the inner axle shaft seal using the J 2619-01 .

  24. Object Number: 868357  Size: SH
  25. Install the J 29369-2  (2) behind the inner axle shaft bearing.
  26. Install the J 2619-01  (1) to the J 29369-2  (2).
  27. Remove the inner axle shaft bearing using the J 2619-01 .

  28. Object Number: 847066  Size: SH
  29. Remove the front differential carrier hole plug.

  30. Object Number: 868451  Size: SH
  31. Remove the differential carrier assembly bolts.

  32. Object Number: 868452  Size: SH
  33. Separate the left carrier case half from the right carrier case half by tapping on the on the carrier case lugs with a brass drift and a hammer.

  34. Object Number: 868459  Size: SH
  35. Remove the differential case assembly.
  36. Disconnect the right side differential bearing adjuster nut lock from the differential bearing adjuster nut by prying up on the lock.

  37. Object Number: 868367  Size: SH
  38. Remove the differential bearing adjuster nut lock bolt from the differential bearing adjuster nut.

  39. Object Number: 868375  Size: SH
  40. Remove the differential bearing adjuster nut lock from the differential bearing adjuster nut.

  41. Object Number: 868454  Size: SH
  42. Remove the right side differential side bearing cup, the differential bearing adjuster nut, and the differential bearing adjuster sleeve by doing the following:
  43. 28.1. Install the J 36599-A onto the differential bearing adjuster nut.
    28.2. Turn the J 36599-A clockwise in order to push the bearing cup out of the bore.
    28.3. Remove the differential bearing adjuster sleeve using a hammer and a brass drift.

    Object Number: 868450  Size: SH
  44. Remove the left side differential bearing adjuster by doing the following:
  45. 29.1. Install the J 36615 onto the differential bearing adjuster nut as shown.
    29.2. Turn the J 36615 counterclockwise in order to remove the differential bearing adjuster nut, the O-ring seal and the differential side bearing cup.

    Object Number: 868455  Size: SH
  46. Install the J 8614-01 as shown.
  47. Remove the pinion nut while holding the J 8614-01 .

  48. Remove the washer.

  49. Object Number: 868456  Size: SH
  50. Install the J 8614-2 (2) and the J 8614-3 (3) into the J 8614-01  (1) as shown.
  51. Remove the pinion yoke by turning the J 8614-3 (3) clockwise while holding the J 8614-01  (1).
  52. Important: Carefully pry the seal from the bore. Do not distort or scratch the aluminum case.

  53. Remove the pinion oil seal using a suitable seal removal tool.

  54. Object Number: 847067  Size: SH
  55. Install the J 45765 to the left side differential carrier case half over the drive pinion as shown.
  56. Turn the forcing screw of the J 45765 clockwise to remove the following components from the left side differential carrier case half:
  57. • The drive pinion gear
    • The pinion gear selectable shim
    • The inner pinion bearing
    • The collapsible spacer
  58. Remove the collapsible spacer from the pinion.
  59. Remove the outer pinion bearing from the differential carrier case half.

  60. Object Number: 680110  Size: SH
  61. Remove the inner pinion bearing by installing the J 22912-B between the pinion bearing and the pinion gear and pressing the bearing off the pinion.
  62. Remove the pinion gear selectable shim.

  63. Object Number: 866062  Size: SH
  64. Install the J 45754-3 over the inner pinion bearing cup.

  65. Object Number: 866059  Size: SH
  66. Install the forcing screw (1) of the J 45754 into the J 45754-3 (2).
  67. Drive out the inner pinion bearing cup by pounding on the forcing screw with a hammer.

  68. Object Number: 866064  Size: SH
  69. Install the J 45754-2 (2) and the forcing screw (1) over the outer pinion bearing cup bore.

  70. Object Number: 866067  Size: SH
  71. Install the J 45754-4 (3) into the pinion bearing bore behind the outer pinion bearing cup.
  72. Slowly turn the forcing screw (1) until the J 45754-4 is evenly seated behind the outer pinion bearing cup bore and the J 45754-2 (2) is evenly seated over the outer pinion bearing cup bore.

  73. Remove the outer pinion bearing cup by turning the forcing screw clockwise.

  74. Object Number: 863549  Size: SH
  75. Install the J 45755-3 (2), J 45755-4 (3), and the forcing screw, bearing and the washers (1) over the differential carrier assembly bushing as shown.
  76. Remove the differential carrier assembly bushing using the J 45755 .