Differential Carrier Assembly Replacement
Differential Carrier Assembly ReplacementRemoval Procedure
1. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Place a drain pan or suitable container under the differential carrier.
3. Remove the differential carrier drain plug.
4. Drain the differential carrier.
5. Remove the propeller shaft from the vehicle.
6. Remove the rear tire and wheel assemblies.
7. Remove the left and right rear knuckles from the vehicle.
8. Remove the left and right rear wheel drive shafts from the vehicle.
9. Remove the catalytic converter.
10. Position a suitable jack under the differential assembly.
11. Remove the 2 rear differential support bracket bolts (2).
12. Remove the 2 lower differential support bolts (6).
13. Carefully lower the differential assembly with differential support (4) from the vehicle.
14. Remove the 2 bolts (5) and 2 nuts (1) from the differential, then remove the differential support from the differential carrier.
15. Remove the 3 rear differential support bolts from the differential carrier, then remove the rear differential support (3).
Installation Procedure
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
1. Position the differential support to the differential carrier, then install the 2 bolts (5) and 2 nuts (1).
^ Tighten the bolts to 103 Nm (76 ft. lbs.).
2. Position the rear differential support (3) on the differential carrier, then install the 3 bolts.
^ Tighten the bolts to 167 Nm (123 ft. lbs.).
3. Carefully raise the differential assembly with differential support into the vehicle.
4. Install the 2 differential support to rear suspension crossmember bolts (6).
^ Tighten the bolts to 118 Nm (87 ft. lbs.).
5. Install the 2 rear differential support retaining bolts (2).
^ Tighten the bolts to 137 Nm (101 ft. lbs.).
6. Install the left and right rear wheel drive shafts from the vehicle.
7. Install the left and right rear knuckles from the vehicle.
8. Install the propeller shaft from the vehicle.
9. Install the catalytic converter.
10. Install the rear tire and wheel assemblies.
11. Install the drain plug with a new gasket into the differential carrier.
^ Tighten the differential carrier drain plug to 39 Nm (29 ft. lbs.).
12. Refill the differential carrier with approximately 0.5 liters (1.05 pts) of 80W-90 GL5 lubricant GM P/N 12345977 (Canadian P/N 10953482), or equivalent. The oil level should be even with the bottom of the differential carrier oil level/filler plug hole.
13. Install the oil level/filler plug with a new gasket into the differential carrier.
^ Tighten the differential oil level/filler plug to 39 Nm (29 ft. lbs.).
14. Remove the drain pan from under the rear axle housing.
15. Lower the vehicle.