Differential Carrier: Service and Repair

Differential Carrier Assembly Replacement

Removal Procedure

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
2. Place a jack or utility stands, such as GMTG 123-B67313, at the rear end of the vehicle.
3. Drain the fluid from the differential carrier assembly. Refer to Front Axle Lubricant Replacement (Front Drive Axle).




4. Disconnect the propeller shaft from the differential carrier assembly. Refer to Front Propeller Shaft Replacement (Front Propeller Shaft Replacement).
Support the propeller shaft as necessary.
5. Remove the engine protection shield. Refer to Engine Protection Shield Replacement (Service and Repair).
6. Remove the front engine crossmember. Refer to Engine Front Crossmember Replacement (RWD) (Service and Repair)Engine Front Crossmember Replacement (4WD) (Service and Repair).




7. Place a transmission jack under the differential carrier assembly.
Secure and support the differential carrier assembly to the transmission jack.
8. Place an alignment mark between the wheel drive shafts and the inner shaft flanges.




9. Remove the wheel drive shaft to inner shaft bolts.




10. Disconnect the left side wheel drive shaft from the inner shaft.




11. Disconnect the right side wheel drive shaft from the inner shaft.
12. Disconnect the differential carrier assembly vent hose from the differential carrier assembly.




13. Remove the upper inner shaft housing mounting bolt.
14. Remove the upper differential carrier assembly mounting bolt.




15. Remove the differential carrier assembly.

Installation Procedure




1. Install the differential carrier assembly to the vehicle.
2. Connect the vent hose to the differential carrier assembly.
3. Install the differential carrier assembly upper mounting bolt and the nut.
Do not tighten the bolt to specification at this time.




4. Install the inner shaft upper mounting bolt and the nut.
Do not tighten the bolt to specification at this time.
5. Install the front engine crossmember. Refer to Engine Front Crossmember Replacement (RWD) (Service and Repair)Engine Front Crossmember Replacement (4WD) (Service and Repair).

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

6. Tighten the upper differential carrier assembly and inner shaft housing mounting bolts and tighten to 85 Nm (63 lb ft).




7. Connect the left side wheel drive shaft to the inner shaft flange.
Align the marks made during removal.
8. Perform the following procedure before installing the wheel drive shaft to inner shaft bolts:

1. Remove all traces of the original adhesive patch.
2. Clean the threads of the bolt with denatured alcohol or equivalent and allow to dry.
3. Apply threadlocker GM P/N 12345382 (Canadian P/N 10953489) to the threads of the bolts.

9. Install the left side wheel drive shaft to inner shaft bolts and tighten to 50 Nm (37 lb ft).




10. Connect the right side wheel drive shaft to the inner shaft flange.
Align the marks made during removal.
11. Perform the following procedure before installing the wheel drive shaft to inner shaft bolts:

1. Remove all traces of the original adhesive patch.
2. Clean the threads of the bolt with denatured alcohol or equivalent and allow to dry.
3. Apply threadlocker GM P/N 12345382 (Canadian P/N 10953489) to the threads of the bolts.




12. Install the right side wheel drive shaft to inner shaft bolts and tighten to 50 Nm (37 lb ft).
13. Install the engine protection shield. Refer to Engine Protection Shield Replacement (Service and Repair).
14. Connect the propeller shaft to the differential carrier assembly. Refer to Front Propeller Shaft Replacement (Front Propeller Shaft Replacement).
15. Fill the differential carrier assembly with the proper lubricant. Refer to Front Axle Lubricant Replacement (Front Drive Axle).
16. Remove the jack or utility stands.
17. Lower the vehicle.
18. Inspect the vehicle's Z height and adjust, if necessary. Refer to Trim Height Inspection (Testing and Inspection).