GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Saturn 🢒 2007 🢒 SKY 🢒 Driveline/Axle 🢒 Rear Drive Axle 🢒 Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement

Special Tools
    • J 34826 Hub Nut Socket (36 mm)
    • J 42851 Front Cover oil Seal Installer
    • J 45012 Holding Fixture
    • J 45019 Flange and Pinion Cage Remover

Removal Procedure
  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
  2. Remove the floor panel tunnel rear panel. Refer to Floor Panel Tunnel Panel Replacement - Rear.

    3. Important: The following service procedure is for those vehicles equipped with a manual transmission and drive line support. For vehicles equipped with a automatic transmission, proceed to Step 4.

  3. Remove the propeller shaft, differential and driveline support. Refer to Propeller Shaft, Differential, and Driveline Support Replacement.

    4. Important: Remove only the propeller shaft coupler to differential flange bolts. DO NOT remove the coupler from the propeller shaft.

  4. Remove the propeller shaft from the rear differential. Refer to Propeller Shaft Replacement.
  5. Carefully position the propeller shaft to the side and support using a suitable jack stand.
  6. Remove the differential carrier bracket. Refer to Differential Carrier Bracket Replacement

    7. Object Number: 804354 Size: SH
  7. Install the J 45012 to the flange.
  8. While holding the J 45012 , remove the drive pinion nut using the J 34826 .
  9. Remove the J 45012 from the flange.

    10. Object Number: 819957 Size: SH
  10. Install the J 45019 to the flange.
  11. Using the J 45019 , remove the flange.
  12. Using a flat-bladed tool, remove the drive pinion seal. care not to damage any of the sealing surfaces.

Installation Procedure

    Important: Ensure that the pinion bore is free of excess gear oil. Excessive fluid can get trapped behind the new seal's dust shield. The trapped gear oil can get squeezed out when installing the pinion flange and appear the pinion seal still leaks.

  1. Lubricate the drive pinion flange sealing surface of the drive pinion seal with synthetic gear oil GM P/N 121378514 (Canadian P/N 88901045) or equivalent.

    2. Object Number: 788664 Size: SH
  2. Using the J 42851 , install the drive pinion seal in the differential.
  3. Remove the J 45019 .

    4. Object Number: 804354 Size: SH
  4. Install the J 45012 .
  5. Install the pinion flange to the drive pinion shaft.

    6. Important: The pinion shaft threads and pinion flange nut must be free of residue and debris prior to application of the threadlocker order to ensure proper adhesion and fastener retention.

  6. Clean all the residue from the pinion shaft threads by using denatured alcohol or equivalent and allow to dry.
  7. Clean all the residue from the pinion flange nut by using denatured alcohol or equivalent and allow to dry

    8. Important: Ensure that there are no gaps in the threadlocker along the length of the filled area of the pinion shaft threads.

  8. Apply the threadlocker GM P/N 12345382 (Canadian P/N 10953489) or equivalent to 2/3 of the threads length of the pinion shaft threads.
  9. Allow the threadlocker to cure approximately 10 minutes before installation.

    10. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  10. Install the drive pinion flange nut to the pinion shaft. While holding the J 45012 , use the J 34826 to tighten the drive pinion nut.

    11. Tighten
    Tighten the pinion flange nut to 245 N·m (181 lb ft).

  11. Remove the J 45012 .
  12. Install the differential carrier bracket. Refer to Differential Carrier Bracket Replacement

    13. Important: The following service procedure is for those vehicles equipped with a manual transmission and drive line support. For vehicles equipped with a automatic transmission, proceed to Step 15.

  13. Install the propeller shaft, differential and driveline support. Refer to Propeller Shaft, Differential, and Driveline Support Replacement.
  14. Install the propeller shaft to the differential. Refer to Propeller Shaft Replacement.
  15. Install the floor panel tunnel rear panel. Refer to Floor Panel Tunnel Panel Replacement - Rear.
  16. Inspect the fluid level Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection.
  17. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.