GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 HUMMER 🢒 2009 🢒 H3 🢒 Driveline/Axle 🢒 Rear Drive Axle 🢒 Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement

Special Tools

J 22536 Pinion Driver

Removal Procedure
  1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
  2. Remove the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement.
  3. Remove the pinion yoke and the oil seal. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement.

    4. Object Number: 683960 Size: SH

    Note:  Do not let the pinion fall out of the rear axle housing.

  4. Using the J 22536 driver and a hammer, remove the pinion.

    5. Object Number: 9731 Size: SH
  5. Remove and discard the collapsible spacer from the pinion.
  6. Remove the pinion bearings and the cups. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement.

    7. Note: The ring gear bolts have left-hand threads.

  7. Remove the gear bolts. Discard the bolts.

    8. Caution: Refer to Ring Gear Removal Caution in the Preface section.

  8. Remove the ring gear from the differential. Drive the gear off with a brass drift if necessary.

Installation Procedure

    Note: 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
  1. Install the ring gear to the differential case.

    2. Object Number: 866503 Size: SH

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

  2. Install the new ring gear bolts.

    3. Hand start each bolt to ensure that the ring gear is properly installed to the differential case.

    Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

    Note: Tightening the ring gear in sequence will seat the ring equally on the differential case.

  3. Tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 130 N·m (96 lb ft)..
  4. Install the pinion bearing cups. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement.
  5. Determine the selective shim thickness for the pinion gear. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment.
  6. Install the selective shim onto the pinion.
  7. Install the inner pinion bearing to the pinion. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement.
  8. Install a new collapsible spacer.
  9. Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations.
  10. Install the outer pinion bearing into the axle housing.
  11. Install the new pinion oil seal. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement.
  12. Install the pinion into the axle housing.
  13. Install the pinion yoke. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement.
  14. Install the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement.
  15. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement.
  16. Lower the vehicle.