Differential Case Disassemble

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 7 other vehicles, including the 2004 Saturn Ion 3, 2004 Saturn Ion 2, 2004 Saturn Ion 1, 2004 Pontiac Sunfire, and 2004 Pontiac Grand Am. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Tools Required

J 44379 Differential Bearing Puller Plate. See Special Tools and Equipment .
J 44381 Shifter Bearing/Input and Output Bearing Remover. See Special Tools and Equipment .

Remove the ten differential ring gear bolts from the differential case. Discard the bolts.

Fig 1: View Of Differential Gear
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the differential ring gear from the differential case.

Fig 2: Removing Left Differential Side Bearing

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Remove the left differential side bearing using the J 44379 (2), the J 44381 (1), and a hydraulic press. Discard the bearing.

Fig 3: Removing Right Differential Side Bearing

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Remove the right differential side bearing from the differential case using the J 44379 (2), the J 44381 (1), and a hydraulic press. Discard the bearing.

Fig 4: View Of VSS Ring

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Remove the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) ring.

Fig 5: Exploded View Of Pinion Assembly

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Remove the following parts from the differential case (7):
- The snap rings (1)
  Discard the snap rings.
- The pinion shaft (6)
- The pinion gears (3)
- The pinion gear thrust washers (2)
- The side gears (5)
- The side gear thrust washers (4)