10.5 Inch Axle
Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle)^ Tools Required
- J 44414 Rear Axle Pinion Oil Seal Installer
- J 24433 Pinion Cone and Side Bearing Installer
- J 8614-01 Flange/Pulley Holding Tool
Removal Procedure
1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the axle shafts.
3. Remove the differential.
4. Remove the pinion gear bearing retainer.
5. Remove the pinion and the pinion bearings.
6. Remove the left handed threaded ring gear bolts. Discard the bolts.
Notice: Do not pry the ring gear from the case. This will damage the ring gear and the differential case.
7. Remove the ring gear from the differential. Drive the gear off with a brass drift if necessary.
Installation Procedure
1. If the differential case has become separated, assemble the differential case by aligning the two arrows inside the differential case as shown.
Important: The mating surface of the ring gear and the differential case must be clean and free of burrs before installing the ring gear.
2. Install the ring gear to the differential case.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
3. Install the new left-hand threaded ring gear bolts. Tighten the ring gear bolts alternately and in stages, gradually pulling the ring gear onto the differential case.
Tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 165 Nm (122 lb ft).
4. Install the differential.
5. Install the inner pinion bearing onto the pinion using the J 24433.
Press the bearing on until the cone seats on the pinion.
6. Install a new collapsible spacer.
7. Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid.
8. Install the pinion into the pinion gear bearing retainer.
9. Install the outer pinion bearing onto the pinion.
10. Install a new pinion oil seal using the J 44414.
11. Apply sealant (GM P/N 12346004 or equivalent) to the splines of the pinion yoke.
12. Install the pinion yoke.
Align the marks made during removal.
Notice: 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.
13. 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.
14. Install the washer and a new pinion nut.
15. Install the J 8614-01 onto the pinion yoke as shown.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
Important: If the rotating torque is exceeded, the pinion will have to be removed and a new collapsible spacer installed.
16. Tighten the pinion nut while holding the J 8614-01.
^ Tighten the nut until the pinion end play is just taken up. Rotate the pinion while tightening the nut to seat the bearings.
17. Measure the rotating torque of the pinion. Compare this measurement with the rotating torque recorded during removal.
^ Tighten the nut in small increments, as needed, until the rotating torque is 0.40 - 0.57 Nm (3 - 5 inch lbs.) greater than the rotating torque recorded during removal.
18. Once the specified torque is obtained, rotate the pinion several times to ensure the bearings have seated. Recheck the rotating torque and adjust if necessary.
19. Determine the selective shim thickness for the pinion gear bearing retainer.
20. Apply sealant (GM P/N 1052942 or equivalent) to sealing surface of the pinion gear bearing retainer.
21. Install the selective shim. Align the tab on the shim with the unmachined surface of the pinion gear bearing retainer.
22. Apply sealant (GM P/N 1052942 or equivalent) to surface of the selective shim.
23. Install the pinion gear bearing retainer.
24. Install the pinion gear bearing retainer bolts.
^ Tighten the pinion gear bearing retainer bolts to 88 Nm (65 lb ft).
25. Measure the rotating torque of the pinion and the ring gear. Compare this measurement with the rotating torque recorded during removal.
^ The rotating torque of the pinion and the ring gear should be between 3.9 - 6.2 Nm (30 - 55 inch lbs.) (new bearings) or 2.8 - 5.6 Nm (25 - 50 inch lbs.) (used bearings).
26. If the rotating torque of the pinion and the ring gear is not within specifications, adjust the preload of the pinion or the differential side bearings as necessary.
27. Install the propeller shaft (3) to the pinion yoke (4).
Align the reference marks made during removal.
28. Install the propeller shaft yoke retaining clamps and the bolts.
^ Tighten the propeller shaft yoke retaining clamp bolts to 25 Nm (18 lb ft).
29. 1nstall the axle shafts.
30. Fill the axle with axle lubricant.
31. Lower the vehicle.