Design Changes to Differential Bearings

A new front differential bearing assembly is installed in vehicles built after and including VIN VZ276693. This new front differential bearing assembly (P/N 21003317) is silver in color and is used to service the front differential bearings used in both the automatic and manual transaxles. In vehicles built before and including VIN VZ276692, the right side (vehicle speed sensor side) front differential bearing in the automatic transaxle had a black ball retainer (1) (refer to illustration). The left side front differential bearing used in the automatic transaxle, and both differential bearings used in the manual transaxle, had silver ball retainers (2) (refer to illustration).

The automatic transaxle service manual instructs the technician to install the front differential hearing with the black ball cage on the right side. This service information is still correct; however, once stock is depleted on the first design automatic transaxle front differential bearing assembly, the second design automatic transaxle differential bearing assembly (P/N 21003317, silver in color) will be used on all 1991 - 1997 Saturns (both right and left sides).