8.6 Inch, 9.5 Inch, 11.5 Inch Axles
Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (8.6 Inch, 9.5 Inch, 11.5 Inch Axles)^ Tools Required
- J 22536 Pinion Driver, 8.6 inch, 9.5 inch axles
- J 44421 Pinion Remover, 11.5 inch axle
Removal Procedure
1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the differential assembly.
3. Remove the pinion yoke and the oil seal.
4. Install the J 22536 , 8.6 inch or 9.5 inch axle, or the J 44421, 11.5 inch axle as shown. Ensure that the J 22536 or the J 44421 is firmly seated on the pinion.
5. Drive the pinion out using the J 22536 or the J 44421 and a hammer. Strike the J 22536 or the J 44421 slowly. Do not let the pinion fall out of the rear axle housing.
6. Remove the collapsible spacer from the pinion. Discard the spacer.
7. Remove the pinion bearings and the cups.
8. Important:
The ring gear bolts on the 8.6 inch and the 9.5 inch axles have left-hand threads. The ring gear bolts on the 11.5 inch axle have right-hand threads.
Remove the gear bolts. Discard the bolts.
9. Notice:
Refer to Ring Gear Removal Notice in Service Precautions.
Remove the ring gear from the differential. Drive the gear off with a brass drift if necessary.
Installation Procedure
1. Important:
The mating surface of the ring gear and the differential case must be clean and free of burrs before installing the ring gear.
Install the ring gear to the differential case.
2. Important:
The ring gear bolts on the 8.6 inch and the 9.5 inch axles have left-hand threads. The ring gear bolts on the 11.5 inch axle have right-hand threads.
Install the new ring gear bolts.Hand start each bolt to ensure that the ring gear is properly installed to the differential case.
3. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
^ Tighten the ring gear bolts, Tighten the ring gear bolts alternately and in stages, gradually pulling the ring gear onto the differential case.
^ For the 8.6 inch axle, tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 120 Nm (89 ft. lbs.).
^ For the 9.5 inch axle, tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 140 Nm (103 ft. lbs.).
^ For the 11.5 inch axle, tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 237 Nm (175 ft. lbs.).
4. Install the pinion bearing cups.
5. Determine the selective shim thickness for the pinion gear.
6. Install the selective shim onto the pinion.
7. Install the inner pinion bearing to the pinion.
8. Install a new collapsible spacer.
9. Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant.
10. Install the outer pinion bearing into the axle housing.
11. Install the new pinion oil seal.
12. Install the pinion into the axle housing.
13. Install the pinion yoke.
14. Install the differential assembly.
15. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid.
16. Lower the vehicle.