Pinion Flange & Oil Seal: Removal
- Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheels and brake drums. Mark drive shaft, axle shafts, pinion flanges and output shafts for reassembly. Unbolt drive shaft, and wire aside. Using tape, secure "U" joint bearing caps. Using an INCH-lb. torque wrench, rotate pinion several revolutions. Stop and start rotation several times. Note and record pinion bearing preload.
- Match mark pinion shaft and pinion flange for reassembly purposes. Count and record number of exposed threads on pinion.
- Hold pinion flange with Pinion Flange Holder (J-8614-01). See Fig 1. Remove nut and washer. Using Pinion Flange Removers (J-8614-2 and J-8614-3), remove pinion flange. Pry pinion seal from housing.
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.