Differential Replacement (9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 Inch Axles)

Differential Replacement (9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 Inch Axles)

Special Tools

J 24429 Side Bearing Backlash Spanner


Removal Procedure

Important: If you remove or replace the ring and pinion gear set, perform the differential side bearing preload, backlash, and gear tooth contact pattern check in order to ensure proper contact of the gears. If you reinstall or replace the differential assembly without replacing any other component (i.e. pinion and ring gear set, differential bearings. etc.) then you may reinstall the differential assembly with the original shims in their original locations. Always perform a gear tooth contact pattern check, even when you remove only the differential assembly.



1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
2. Remove the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement (8.6, 9.75 Inch Axle WO/RPO JL4) (Service and Repair)Rear Axle Shaft Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle W/RPO JL4) (Service and Repair)Rear Axle Shaft Replacement (9.75 Inch Axle W/RPO JL4) (Service and Repair) or Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement (Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement) .




3. Remove the differential bearing adjuster nut lock bolts.




4. Remove the differential bearing adjuster nut locks.




5. Remove the differential bearing cap bolts.




6. Remove the differential bearing caps. Mark the differential bearing caps left and right.





Caution: To prevent personal injury and/or component damage, support the differential case when removing the case from the axle housing. If the case is not supported, the differential case could fall and cause personal injury or damage to the differential case.


Notice: When removing the differential case from the axle housing, do not damage the cover gasket surface. If the cover gasket surface is damaged, lubricant may leak from the axle and cause premature failure of the axle assembly.

7. Loosen the differential bearing adjusters using the J 24429 .
8. Remove the differential assembly and the differential bearing cups.
Mark the differential bearing cups left and right. Place the differential bearing cups with the differential bearing caps.
9. Remove the differential side bearings, if necessary. Refer to Differential Side Bearings Replacement (Service and Repair) .
10. Remove the ring gear, if necessary. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle) (Service and Repair)Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 Inch Axles) (Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 Inch Axles)) .



Installation Procedure

1. Install the ring gear, if necessary. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle) (Service and Repair)Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 Inch Axles) (Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 Inch Axles)) .
2. Install the differential side bearings, if necessary. Refer to Differential Side Bearings Replacement (Service and Repair) .
3. Lubricate the differential side bearings with the proper axle lubricant. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .
4. Install the differential assembly, with the differential bearing cups installed, into the axle housing.
Support the differential assembly in order to keep the case from falling out of the axle housing.




5. Turn the adjusters evenly on each side using the J 24429 until snug against the differential.
6. Adjust the differential side bearing preload. Refer to Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment (8.6 Inch Axle) (Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment (8.6 Inch Axle))Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment (9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 Inch Axle) (Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment (9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 Inch Axle)) .
7. Adjust the drive pinion to ring gear backlash. Refer to Backlash Adjustment (8.6 Inch Axle) (Backlash Adjustment (8.6 Inch Axle))Backlash Adjustment (9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 Inch Axles) (Backlash Adjustment (9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 Inch Axles)) .
8. Perform a gear tooth contact pattern check. Refer to Gear Tooth Contact Pattern Inspection (Gear Tooth Contact Pattern Inspection) .




9. Install the differential bearing caps, if necessary.




10. Install the differential bearing cap bolts, if necessary.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice .

11. Tighten the differential bearing cap bolts.

Tighten the differential bearing cap bolts to 109 N.m (80 lb ft).





12. Install the differential bearing adjuster retainers.




13. Install the differential bearing adjuster retainer bolts.

Tighten the differential bearing adjuster retainer bolts to 13 N.m (10 lb ft).

14. For the 9.75 inch axle, install the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement (8.6, 9.75 Inch Axle WO/RPO JL4) (Service and Repair)Rear Axle Shaft Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle W/RPO JL4) (Service and Repair)Rear Axle Shaft Replacement (9.75 Inch Axle W/RPO JL4) (Service and Repair) .
15. For the 10.5 and 10.75 inch axles, install the axle shafts and new axle shaft gaskets. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement (Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement) .
16. Fill the axle with the proper axle lubricant. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle) (Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle))Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 Inch Axles) (Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 Inch Axles)) .
17. Lower the vehicle.