Rear Axle - Disassemble

Tool Required

• J 23907  Slide Hammer. See Special Tools and Equipment .
• J 25070  Heat Gun
• J 29369-2 Bushing and Bearing Remover - 2-3 in
• J 42155  Differential Lifting Tool. See Special Tools and Equipment .
• J 42173  Differential Holding Fixture. See Special Tools and Equipment .
• J 42194  Bearing Race Remover. See Special Tools and Equipment .

Fig 1: View Of Transaxle Mount Bracket & Bolts
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
1. Remove the differential mount and bolts.
Fig 2: Differential, Drain Plug & Washer
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
2. Remove the drain plug (1) and washer (2) and allow the fluid to drain.
Fig 3: Fill Plug, Lubricant Tag & Washer
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
3. Remove the fill plug (3), lubricant tag (2), and washer (1).
Fig 4: Vehicle Speed Sensor & Bolt
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
4. Remove the vehicle speed sensor and bolt.
Fig 5: Differential Cover (Left), O-Ring Seal & Bolts
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
5. Remove the cover - left (3) and bolts (2).
6. Remove the O-ring (4) and oil seal (1) from the cover.
7. Remove the magnet (5) from the carrier.
Fig 6: J 42173 & Differential Assembly
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
8. Install the differential assembly (1) onto the J 42173  (2). See Special Tools and Equipment .
NOTE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.
9. Install 4 M8 x 1.25 bolts (3).

   Tighten:  Tighten the bolts to 25 N.m (18 lb ft).

Fig 7: Differential Cover (Right), Axle Seal & O-Ring Seal
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
10. Remove the cover - right (3) and bolts (2) from the differential.
11. Remove the O-ring (4) and oil seal (1) from the cover.
Fig 8: Cover-Rear, Bolts, Bolt/Stud & O-Ring
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
IMPORTANT: Note and mark the location of the cover - rear bolt/stud for assembly.
12. Remove the cover-rear (2), bolts (3), bolt/stud (4), and O-ring (1).
Fig 9: Differential, Transmission Stud Bolts & Mount
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
13. Install 2 M10 x 1.5 nuts onto the transmission stud (1). Remove the stud from the differential.
14. Remove the bolts (2) and mount (3) from the differential. Note and mark the position and direction of the mount.
Fig 10: Output Shaft & C-Clip
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
15. Remove the C-clip (1) from the output shaft.
Fig 11: J 42155 & Differential Case Assembly
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
16. Install the J 42155  into the groove of the output shaft in order to remove the differential case assembly. See Special Tools and Equipment .
Fig 12: Pinion Housing/Cage Bolts
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
17. Remove the pinion housing/cage bolts (1).
Fig 13: J 25070 & Differential Housing
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
18. Heat the differential housing, around the pinion housing, using J 25070  . Heating the housing will ease in pinion removal.
Fig 14: Pinion Housing/Cage Assembly, Shims & Differential Housing
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
19. Remove the pinion housing/cage assembly (2) and shims (1) from the differential housing. Mark or tag the shims for assembly.

    Locate 2 screwdrivers or pry bars to the flange area of the pinion housing/cage to ease in removal.

Fig 15: Differential Cover (Right) & J 42194
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
20. Install the J 42194  into the cover - right in order to remove the bearing race and shims. See Special Tools and Equipment .
21. Position the cover - right into a hydraulic press.
Fig 16: Bearing Race & Shims
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
22. Using a hydraulic press, remove the bearing race (1) and shims (2). Mark or tag the shims for assembly.
Fig 17: Install J 29396-2 Into Left Bearing
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
23. Install the J 29369-2 into the cover - left bearing.
24. Install the J 23907  to the. See Special Tools and Equipment . J 29369-2 in order to remove the bearing.
Fig 18: Left Side Cover Output Shaft Bearing
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
25. Remove the bearing (1).
Fig 19: Install J 42194 Into Left Bearing Race
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
26. Install the J 42194  into the differential housing, behind the left bearing race, in order to remove the bearing race and shim. See Special Tools and Equipment .
27. Position the housing into a hydraulic press.
Fig 20: Differential, Housing Race & Shim
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
28. Using a hydraulic press, remove the race (2) and shim or shims (1) from the differential housing. Mark or tag the shims for assembly.