Special Tools

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 brake calipers. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement.
4. Remove the brake rotors. Refer to Rear Brake Rotor Replacement.
5. Remove the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement.
6. Remove the differential. Refer to Differential Replacement.
7. Remove the drive pinion from the axle. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement.



8. Press the bearing off of the pinion using the J 22912-B .
9. Remove the shim.
10. Remove the pinion bearing cups from the axle housing using a hammer and a brass drift in the slots provided. Move the drift back and forth between one side of the cup and the other in order to work the cups out of the housing evenly.

1. Install the outer pinion bearing cup using the J 7818  (2) and the J 8092  (1).



2. Install the inner pinion bearing cup using the J 22306  (2) and the J 8092  (1).
3. Determine the selective shim thickness for the pinion. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment.



4. Install the selective shim between the inner pinion bearing and the shoulder on the gear.
5. Install the inner pinion bearing using the J 36614 .

Press the bearing on until the cone seats on the pinion shim.

6. Install a new collapsible spacer.
7. Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations.
8. Install the drive pinion into the axle housing.
9. Install the outer pinion bearing onto the pinion.



10. Install a new pinion oil seal using the J 22388 .
11. Apply sealant, GM P/N 12346004 (Canadian P/N 10953480) or equivalent, to the splines of the pinion yoke.
12. Install the pinion yoke.

Caution: 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.

13. 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.
14. Install the washer and a new pinion nut.
15. Install the J 8614-01 onto the pinion yoke.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

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

16. 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.




17. Measure the rotating torque of the drive pinion using an inch-pound torque wrench.

Specification
The rotating torque of the drive pinion should be 1.7-3.4 N·m (15-30 lb in).

18. If the rotating torque of the drive pinion is less than 1.7 N·m (15 lb in), continue to tighten the pinion nut until the specified torque is obtained.

Rotate the pinion several times to ensure the bearings have seated. Recheck the rotating torque and adjust if necessary.

19. If the rotating torque of the drive pinion is greater than 3.4 N·m (30 lb in), remove the drive pinion and replace the collapsible spacer and re-install the drive pinion following the steps above.
20. Install the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement.
21. Install the brake rotors. Refer to Rear Brake Rotor Replacement.
22. Install the brake calipers. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Replacement.
23. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
24. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement.
25. Lower the vehicle.