Differential Carrier Assembly - Assemble

Tools Required

• J 8092  Universal Driver Handle - 3/4 in - 10. See Special Tools and Equipment .
• J 8614-01  Flange and Pulley Holding Tool. See Special Tools and Equipment .
• J 35512  Inner Pinion Bearing Installer. See Special Tools and Equipment .
• J 36366  Pinion Oil Seal Installer. See Special Tools and Equipment .
• J 36599-A  Side Bearing Nut Wrench. See Special Tools and Equipment .
• J 36603  Side Bearing Cup Installer. See Special Tools and Equipment .
• J 36609  Axle Tube Bearing Installer. See Special Tools and Equipment .
• J 36612  Output Shaft Bearing Installer. See Special Tools and Equipment .
• J 36614  Inner Pinion Bearing Installer. See Special Tools and Equipment .
• J 36615  Side Bearing Nut Wrench (9.25 inch axle). See Special Tools and Equipment .

1. Install the pinion bearing cups into the differential carrier assembly, if necessary. Refer to Pinion Bearing Cup Installation (8.25 Inch Axle w/J 45858) , Pinion Bearing Cup Installation (9.25 Inch Axle w/J 45754)  or Pinion Bearing Cup Installation (8.25/9.25 Inch Axles w/J 36598) .
2. Install the selective shim between the inner pinion bearing and the shoulder of the pinion gear.
3. Install the inner pinion bearing onto the pinion gear using the J 35512  , 8.25 inch axle, or the J 36614  , 9.25 inch axle.
Fig 1: Installing Inner Pinion Bearing Onto Pinion Gear
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
4. Install the new collapsible spacer onto the pinion gear.
5. Install the outer pinion bearing into the differential carrier case half.
6. Install the pinion oil seal using J 36366  .
Fig 2: Installing Pinion Oil Seal
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
7. Install the pinion gear, with the inner pinion bearing and the new collapsible spacer, into the left differential carrier case half.
8. Apply sealant to the splines of the pinion yoke. Use the correct sealant. Refer to Sealers, Adhesives, and Lubricants .
9. Install the pinion yoke.
NOTE: Refer to Pinion Flange/Yoke Installation Notice in Cautions and Notices.
10. Seat the pinion yoke onto the pinion shaft by tapping it with a soft-faced hammer until a few pinion shaft threads show through the yoke.
11. Install the washer and a new pinion nut.

    If the new pinion nut cannot be installed, perform the following steps in order to seat the pinion yoke onto the pinion so that the washer and new pinion nut can be installed:

    1. Remove the pinion nut washer.
    2. Install the old pinion nut.
    3. Tighten the nut until a few of the shaft threads show through the nut so that the washer and new pinion nut can be installed.
    4. Remove the old pinon nut.
    5. Install the pinion nut washer.
    6. Install the new pinion nut.
12. Install the J 8614-01  onto the pinion yoke as shown.
Fig 3: Holding Pinion Flange Using Special Tool
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
NOTE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.
IMPORTANT: If the rotating torque is exceeded, the pinion will have to be removed and a new collapsible spacer installed.
13. Tighten the pinion nut while holding the J 8614-01  .

    Tighten:  Tighten the pinion nut until the pinion end play is just taken up. Rotate the pinion while tightening the nut in order to seat the bearings.

14. Remove the J 8614-01  .
15. Measure the rotating torque of the pinion using an inch-pound torque wrench.

    Specification:  The rotating torque of the pinion should be 1.0-2.3 N.m (10-20 lb in) for used bearings, or 1.7-3.4 N.m (15-30 lb in) for new bearings.

16. If the rotating torque measurement is below 1.0 N.m (10 lb in) for used bearings, or 1.7 N.m (15 lb in) for new bearings, reinstall the J 8614-01  and continue to tighten the pinion nut.

    Specification:  The rotating torque of the pinion should be 1.0-2.3 N.m (10-20 lb in) for used bearings, or 1.7-3.4 N.m (15-30 lb in) for new bearings.

17. Once the specified torque is obtained, rotate the pinion several times to ensure the bearings have seated.

    Recheck the rotating torque and adjust if necessary.

18. Remove the J 8614-01  .
19. Assemble the differential adjuster nut into the differential nut sleeve until fully seated, 8.25 inch axle - left and right sides, 9.25 inch axle, right side.
20. Install the axle shaft bearings into the differential adjuster nut sleeve using the J 36612  (2) and the J 8092  (1), 8.25 inch S4WD axle - left and right sides, 8.25 inch F4WD axle - left side, 9.25 inch axle - right side.
Fig 4: Installing The Axle Shaft Bearings Into The Differential Adjuster Nut Sleeve Using J 8092 & J 36612
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
21. Install the axle shaft bearing into the differential adjuster nut sleeve using the J 36609  and the J 8092  , 9.25 inch axle - left side.
22. Install the differential adjuster nut assembly and new adjuster lock nut tabs into the differential carrier case using the J 36609  and the J 8092  , 8.25 inch axle - left and right sides, 9.25 inch axle - right side.
23. Install the differential adjuster nut assembly into the differential carrier case, 9.25 inch axle - left side.
24. Install the differential case side bearing cups to the differential carrier case using the J 36603  (2) and the J 8092  (1), 8.25 inch axle - left and right sides, 9.25 inch axle - right side.
Fig 5: Installing Differential Case Side Bearing Cups To The Differential Carrier Case Using J 8092 & J 36603
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
25. Install the differential case assembly into the left differential carrier case half.
Fig 6: Installing Differential Case Assembly Into The Left Differential Carrier Case Half
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
26. Install the right differential carrier case half to the left differential carrier case half.

    Do not use sealer at this time.

    If the carrier case halves do not make complete contact, use the J 36599-A  in order to back out the right differential adjuster nut sleeve until the differential carrier case halves make contact.

Fig 7: Installing Right Differential Carrier Case
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
27. Install the differential carrier case bolts.

    Tighten:  Tighten the differential carrier case bolts to 47 N.m (35 lb ft).

Fig 8: Differential Carrier Case Bolts
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
28. Install the differential carrier assembly into a vise.
29. Turn the right side differential adjuster nut sleeve clockwise 11/2 revolutions using the J 36599-A  .
Fig 9: Turning Right Side Differential Adjuster Nut Sleeve Using J 36599-A
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
30. For the 8.25 inch axle, turn the left side differential adjuster nut sleeve clockwise using the J 36599-A  in order to preload the differential side bearings against the differential side bearing cups.

    Tighten:  Tighten the differential adjuster nut to 75 N.m (55 lb ft).

Fig 10: Preloading Differential Side Bearings (8.25 Inch Axle)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
31. For the 9.25 inch axle, turn the left side differential adjuster nut clockwise using the J 36615  in order to preload the differential side bearings against the differential side bearing cups.

    Tighten:  Tighten the differential adjuster nut to 75 N.m (55 lb ft).

Fig 11: Preloading Differential Side Bearings (9.25 Inch Axle)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
32. Rotate the pinion several times in order to seat the pinion and differential side bearings.
33. Measure the rotating torque of the drive pinion and differential assembly using an inch-pound torque wrench.

    Specification:  The rotating torque of the pinion and differential assembly should be 3.4-6.2 N.m (30-55 lb in) for new bearings or 2.8-5.1 N.m (25-45 lb in) for used bearings.

34. If the rotating torque measurement is below 2.8 N.m (25 lb in) for used bearings, or 3.4 N.m (30 lb in) for new bearings, adjust the differential side bearing preload using the following steps:
    1. Place an alignment mark between the differential adjuster nut sleeve and the differential carrier case, left and right sides.
    2. Using the J 36599-A  or the J 36615  , turn the left and the right side differential adjuster nut sleeves in or clockwise one notch.
    3. Measure the rotating torque of the pinion and differential assembly using an inch-pound torque wrench.
    4. Compare the new measurement to the specification listed in step 36, if the rotating torque of the pinion and differential assembly is not within specifications, continue to tighten the left and right side differential adjuster nut sleeves one notch at a time on each side until the rotating torque of the pinion and differential assembly is within specifications
Fig 12: Alignment Mark Between Differential Adjuster Nut Sleeve & Differential Carrier Case
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
35. If the rotating torque measurement is above 5.1 N.m (45 lb in) for used bearings, or 6.2 N.m (55 lb in) for new bearings, adjust the differential side bearing preload using the following steps:
    1. Place an alignment mark between the differential adjuster nut sleeve and the differential carrier case, left and right sides.
    2. Using the J 36599-A  or the J 36615  , turn the left and the right side differential adjuster nut sleeves out or counterclockwise one notch.
    3. Measure the rotating torque of the pinion and differential assembly using an inch-pound torque wrench.
    4. Compare the new measurement to the specification listed in step 36, if the rotating torque of the pinion and differential assembly is not within specifications, continue to loosen the left and right side differential adjuster nut sleeves one notch at a time on each side until the rotating torque of the pinion and differential assembly is within specifications
36. Once the specified rotating torque is obtained, rotate the pinion several times to ensure the bearings have seated.

    Recheck the rotating torque and adjust if necessary.

37. Measure the drive pinion to ring gear backlash. Refer to Backlash Inspection and Adjustment .