GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Special Tools

J 44394-A Seal Protector

Removal Procedure

  1. Remove the left rear wheel drive shaft. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement.
  2. Remove the muffler and exhaust pipe from the vehicle. Refer to Exhaust Muffler Replacement.
  3. Remove the floor panel tunnel panel front panel. Refer to Floor Panel Tunnel Panel Replacement - Front.
  4. Remove the floor panel tunnel rear panel. Refer to Floor Panel Tunnel Panel Replacement - Rear.

  5. Object Number: 1855731  Size: SH
  6. Support the transmission with a suitable jack stand.
  7. Loosen but DO NOT remove the driveline support to the transmission bolts (1).
  8. Remove the transmission close out panel. Refer to Transmission Support Replacement.
  9. Loosen, but DO NOT remove the left and right motor mount bolts. Refer to the appropriate procedure:
  10. • For the left side, refer to Engine Mount Replacement - Left Side.
    • For the right side, refer to Engine Mount Replacement - Right Side.

    Object Number: 1861266  Size: SH
  11. Remove the front propeller shaft bolt (1) and the washer support tabs.

  12. Object Number: 1861263  Size: SH

    Note: The proper nuts and bolts to be removed are those where the nut is the closest or facing the rear differential drive flange. DO NOT remove the nuts and bolt where the nuts are facing the front or propeller shaft.

  13. Remove the propeller shaft nuts and bolts from the rear differential.

  14. Object Number: 787236  Size: SH
  15. Support the rear differential with a transmission jack stand.

  16. Object Number: 1862679  Size: SH
  17. Remove the left (1) and right (2) rear differential mount bolts.
  18. Lower the rear differential enough to clear the rear crossmember.
  19. Using the J 44394-A , and move the rear differential to the left side of the vehicle, remove the right rear wheel drive shaft.

  20. Object Number: 1861680  Size: SH

    Note: DO NOT re-use the bolts, discard and use NEW only.

  21. Remove the four differential carrier bracket bolts (1).

  22. Object Number: 1862625  Size: SH
  23. Separate the differential carrier (1) from the driveline support bracket (2).

  24. Object Number: 1862553  Size: SH
  25. Remove the propeller shaft from the vehicle.

  26. Object Number: 1862734  Size: SH
  27. If servicing the driveline support, remove the driveline support bolts (1) and the washers (2) at the transmission.

  28. Object Number: 1862756  Size: SH
  29. Remove the driveline support (1) from the transmission and the rear differential assembly.

  30. Object Number: 1867996  Size: SH
  31. If servicing the driveline support , remove the nut (1), bolt (2), and the bolt plate (3) from the driveline support.
  32. Remove the driveline support (4) from the rear differential assembly.

  33. Object Number: 1863824  Size: SH

    Note: Support the right rear wheel drive shaft with mechanics wire or equivalent.

  34. If servicing the rear differential assembly, remove the rear differential assembly from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure

  1. Clean the bolt holes in the differential carrier with brake cleaner or other suitable solvents to remove any adhesive.

  2. Object Number: 1867996  Size: SH
  3. If servicing the driveline support, position the driveline support (4) on the differential housing.
  4. Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

  5. Install the bolt plate (3), bolts (2), and the nuts (1) for the driveline support on the differential housing.
  6. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 200 N·m (148 lb ft).


    Object Number: 1862756  Size: SH
  7. Position the driveline support (1) on the transmission.
  8. Note: Leave the driveline support bolts loose.


    Object Number: 1862734  Size: SH
  9. Install the driveline support bolts (1) and washers (2).

  10. Object Number: 1863824  Size: SH
  11. Raise the differential to just below the rear crossmember.

  12. Object Number: 1861702  Size: SH
  13. Clean the pilot shaft (1) and the pilot hole (2) of any dirt or debris.
  14. Apply a small amount of chassis lube on the pilot shaft (1).
  15. Align the pilot shaft  (1) and the pilot hole (2).

  16. Object Number: 1862553  Size: SH
  17. Install the propeller shaft to the transmission and differential.

  18. Object Number: 1861266  Size: SH

    Note: In steps 7 and 8, finger tighten the front and rear propeller shaft nuts and bolts only. DO NOT torque the propeller shaft nuts and bolts until the differential and driveline support have been aligned and torqued to specifications.

  19. Install the propeller shaft bolts (1) and washer support tabs (2) in the transmission drive flange.

  20. Object Number: 1861263  Size: SH
  21. Install the propeller shaft nuts and bolts to the differential drive flange.
  22. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the mechanics wire.
  23. Position the J 44394-A on the right wheel drive shaft.
  24. Moving the differential to the right, install the wheel drive shaft.
  25. Remove the J 44394-A from the wheel drive shaft.

  26. Object Number: 1862625  Size: SH

    Note: Ensure that the driveline support bracket and the differential are properly joined.

  27. Align the differential carrier (1) and the torque beam bracket (2).

  28. Object Number: 1861680  Size: SH

    Note: Use only hands tools to tighten the bolts.

  29. Install the four new driveline support bracket bolts (1).
  30. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 80 N·m (59 lb ft).

  31. Raise and position the differential in the rear support.

  32. Object Number: 1862679  Size: SH
  33. Hand install the left (1) and right (2) rear differential mounting bolt.
  34. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 175 N·m (129 lb ft).

  35. Tighten the rear propeller shaft bolts.
  36. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 85 N·m (63 lb ft).


    Object Number: 1861334  Size: SH
  37. Tighten the front propeller shaft bolts in sequence.
  38. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).

  39. Install the left rear wheel drive shaft. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement.

  40. Object Number: 1861375  Size: SH

    Note: Failing to perform the following service procedure will create the wrong driveline angle for the propeller shaft and alignment of the transmission and the rear differential.

  41. Position a scale or known straight edge across the floor pan where the driveline tunnel closeout mounts to the body.
  42. Position another scale at the transmission output shaft oil seal slinger.
  43. Using the jack stand, raise or lower the transmission until a measurement of 80 mm (3.150 inch) is obtained.

  44. Object Number: 1855731  Size: SH
  45. Tighten the driveline support bolts (1) at the transmission.
  46. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 185 N·m (136 lb ft).

  47. Remove the jack stand from the rear differential.
  48. Tighten the left and right motor mount bolts. Refer to the appropriate procedure:
  49. • For the left side, refer to Engine Mount Replacement - Left Side.
    • For the right side, refer to Engine Mount Replacement - Right Side.

    Object Number: 787236  Size: SH
  50. Remove the transmission jack stand.
  51. Install the transmission close out panel. Refer to Transmission Support Replacement.
  52. Install the floor panel tunnel panel front panel. Refer to Floor Panel Tunnel Panel Replacement - Front.
  53. Install the floor panel tunnel rear panel. Refer to Floor Panel Tunnel Panel Replacement - Rear.
  54. Install the muffler and exhaust pipe from the vehicle. Refer to Exhaust Muffler Replacement.