Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement
DRIVE PINION AND RING GEAR REPLACEMENTTOOLS REQUIRED
- J 8614-01 Flange and Pulley Holding Tool
- J 22536 Pinion Driver
- J 22388 Pinion Oil Seal Installer - Rear
REMOVAL PROCEDURE
1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies.
3. Remove the brake calipers.
4. Remove the brake rotors.
5. Remove the axle shafts.
6. Remove the differential.
7. Remove the pinion yoke and the seal.
8. Install the J 22536 as shown.
Ensure that the J 22536 is firmly seated on the pinion.
9. Drive the pinion out using the J 22536 and a hammer.
Strike the J 22536 slowly. Do not let the pinion fall out of the rear axle housing.
10. Remove the collapsible spacer from the pinion. Discard the spacer.
11. Remove the pinion bearings and the cups.
IMPORTANT: The ring gear bolts have left-hand threads.
12. Remove the ring gear bolts. Discard the bolts.
NOTE: Do not pry the ring gear from the differential case. Prying the ring gear from the differential case may cause damage to the ring gear and/or the differential case.
13. Remove the ring gear from the differential. Drive the gear off with a brass drift if necessary.
INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
IMPORTANT: The mating surface of the ring gear and the differential case must be clean and free of burrs before installing the ring gear.
1. Install the ring gear to the differential case
2. Install the new left-hand ring gear bolts.
Hand start each bolt in ensure the ring gear is properly installed to the differential case.
NOTE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
3. Tighten the ring gear bolts alternately and in stages, gradually pulling the ring gear onto the differential case.
Tighten
Tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 140 N.m (103 lb ft).
4. Install the pinion bearing cups.
5. Determine the selective shim thickness for the pinion gear. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment.
6. Install the selective shim onto the drive pinion.
7. Install the inner pinion bearing to the pinion.
8. Install a new collapsible spacer.
9. Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations in Maintenance and Lubrication.
10. Install the drive pinion into the axle housing.
11. Install the outer pinion bearing onto the drive pinion.
12. Install a new pinion oil seal using the J 22388.
13. Apply sealant, GM P/N 12346004 (Canadian P/N 10953480) or equivalent, to the splines of the pinion yoke.
14. Install the pinion yoke.
NOTE: 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.
15. 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.
16. Install the washer and a new pinion nut.
17. Install the J 8614-01 onto the pinion yoke.
IMPORTANT: If the rotating torque is exceeded, the pinion will have to be removed and a new collapsible spacer installed.
18. 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.
19. 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) for new bearings or 1.1-2.3 N.m (10-20 lb in) for used bearings
20. If the rotating torque of the drive pinion is less than 1.7 N.m (15 lb in) for new bearings or 1.1 N.m (10 lb in) for used bearings, 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.
21. If the rotating torque of the drive pinion is greater than 3.4 N.m (30 lb in) new bearings or 2.3 N.m (20 lb in) for used bearings, remove the drive pinion and replace the collapsible spacer and re-install the drive pinion following the steps above.
22. Install the differential assembly.
23. Perform a gear tooth contact pattern check on the drive pinion and the ring gear. Refer to Gear Tooth Contact Pattern Inspection.
24. Install the axle shafts.
25. Install the brake rotors.
26. Install the brake calipers.
27. Install the tire and wheel assemblies.
28. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Lubricant Replacement - Rear Dove Axle.
29. Lower the vehicle.