Shimming Procedures
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Saturn Vue. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Tools Required
- J 7079-2 Universal Driver Handle - Non-Threaded. See Special Tools .
- J 44385 Differential Bearing Race and Seal Installer. See Special Tools .
- J 44388 Final End Checking Fixture
- Make sure the bearings are fully seated in the case.
- Position the transaxle on a bench so that the bearings are resting on a flat surface.
- Using a rubber mallet, tap lightly on the case mating surface to ensure the bearings are fully seated.
- Measure the distance of the transaxle case parting surface to the output shaft gear thrust washer surface using the J 44388-1.
- Place the J 44388-1 on the case parting surface.
- Extend the gage rod on the J 44388-1 until it is bottomed on the output shaft gear thrust washer.
- Tighten the thumbscrew on the J 44388-1 to retain the gage rod.
- Measure and record the length of the gage rod protruding from the gage bar (measurement A).
- Make sure the left differential bearing race is fully seated into the transaxle case using the J 7079-2 (1) and the J 44385 (2). See Special Tools .
- Install the J 44388-2 into the left differential side bearing race. Ensure that the J 44388-2 is fully seated into the left differential side bearing race.
- Remove the gage rod from the J 44388-1 (2).
- Place the bar of the J 44388-1 (2) onto the gage rod of the J 44388-2 (1).
- Tighten the thumbscrew on the J 44388-1 (2) to retain the J 44388-2 (1) gage rod.
- Measure the overall height of the J 44388-1 (1) and J 44388-2 (2) (measurement B).
- Measure the height of just the J 44388-1 (measurement C).
- Subtract the height of the J 44388-1 (measurement C) from the overall height of the J 44388-1 and J 44388-2 (measurement B) and record (measurement D).
- Place the differential assembly onto the J 44388-4 to provide a steady measuring surface.
- Install the rod back into the J 44388-1 (1).
- Place the J 44388-1 (1) across the face of the ring gear.
- Center the gage rod of the J 44388-1 (1) over the land for the left differential side bearing shim.
- With the gage rod of the J 44388-1 (1) fully seated on the shim land for the left differential side bearing shim, tighten the thumbscrew on the J 44388-1 (1).
- Measure and record the length of the gage rod protruding from the J 44388-1 (measurement E).
- Remove the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) ring.
- Remove and discard both the differential pinion shaft retaining rings and remove the differential pinion shaft.
- Insert the J 44388-3 (1) through the center of the differential until it rests firmly on the J 44388-4 (2).
- The distance from the top surface of the J 44388-3 (1) to the land of the right differential side bearing shim is measured and recorded (measurement F).
- Subtract measurement F from 127 mm (5 in) (measurement G).
- To obtain shim size for left differential side shim (1) use the following formula:
Shim (1) = E - A + D - 19.036 mm (0.749 in).
- To obtain shim size for right differential side shim (2) use the following formula:
Shim (2) = 94.65 mm (3.726 in) - G - shim (1).
IMPORTANT:
Remove all of the old shims before performing the Shimming Procedures.
IMPORTANT:
Both retaining rings must be removed from the pinion shaft to ensure proper removal of the differential pinion shaft.
Fig 15: Measuring Distance From Top Surface Of J 44388-3 To Land Of Right Differential Side Bearing Shim