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Home >> Chevrolet >> 2002 >> Blazer 4D Utility, 4WD, Part Time >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 1770 (Rear Drive Axle) >> Repair Instructions >> Differential Side Bearing Preload Adjustment

Differential Side Bearing Preload Adjustment

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Tools Required

    Fig 1: Side Bearing
    GM793404Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    IMPORTANT: The ring gear must be removed to perform this measurement.
  1. Install J 44856-5  on the differential carrier. See Special Tools .
    2. Fig 2: Differential Carrier & Master Bearings
    GM793405Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    IMPORTANT: Master bearings must seat properly in the bearing bores. Improper seating could cause a wrong measurement.
  2. Rotate the housing so the carrier side is up.
  3. Install the differential carrier and the master bearings in the bores of the housing. Slide the carrier back and forth to seat the master bearings.
    4. Fig 3: Installing Dial Indicator On 44856-6
    GM925283Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  4. Install J 44856-6  into the M10 bolt hole. See Special Tools .
  5. Install the dial indicator on the J 44856-6  . See Special Tools .
  6. Slide the carrier away from the dial indicator until the carrier hits the master bearing and zero the indicator.
  7. Slide the carrier toward the dial indicator and record this measurement as dimension (A) - total travel.
    8. Fig 4: Installing J45923 On Ring Gear Assembly
    GM857938Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    NOTE: Refer to FASTENER NOTICE in Cautions and Notices.
    IMPORTANT: Install the new bolts during the ring gear assembly. The bolts will have the new Permatex threadlocker on the threads.
  8. Install J 45923  into the ring gear (2). See Special Tools . Place the differential case (1) over the alignment pins.
    9. Fig 5: Placing Differential Case Into Press
    GM857942Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  9. Place the differential case into a press. Use J 44855  (1) to press the ring gear on and remove the alignment pins (2). See Special Tools .
    10. Fig 6: Ring Gear Bolts
    GM795741Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  10. Install the ring gear bolts in a criss-cross pattern and tighten.

    Tighten:  Tighten the ring gear bolts to 52 N.m (38 lb ft).

    11. Fig 7: Installing Dial Indicator On J44856-6
    GM793407Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    IMPORTANT: The ring gear must be installed to record this measurement.
    IMPORTANT: Master bearings J 44856-5  must seat properly in the bearing bores. See Special Tools . Improper seating could cause a wrong measurement.
  11. Install the dial indicator on the J 44856-6  . See Special Tools .
  12. Slide the carrier away from the dial indicator. Ensure the ring gear teeth contact to the pinion gear teeth is at zero lash. Zero out the indicator.
  13. Slide the carrier away from the pinion gear. Record this measurement as dimension (B).
  14. The (B) dimension is the nominal value of the gear side.
  15. Subtract 0.006 in from the nominal value (B). This is the gear side shim size.
  16. Subtract nominal value (B) from (A). This is the nominal value (C) for the right side.
  17. Add 0.008 in to the right side nominal value (C). This is the right side shim size.

    Example:  Measurement (A) from step 7 is 0.500. Measurement (B) from step 13 with gear on was 0.250 - 0.006 = 0.244. This is the gear side shim thickness. Subtract (B) 0.250 from (A) 0.500 = 0.250 + 0.008 = 0.258. This is the right side shim thickness.

    18. Fig 8: Replacing Both Bearing & Races
    GM734855Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    IMPORTANT: The differential bearings and the bearing races are matched sets. Replace both the bearing and the races when either part requires placement.
  18. Use the J 44855  (1). See Special Tools . Into the bearing (2), place the differential carrier (3) in a press and install the bearing until it seats.
  19. Turn the carrier over. Using the same process, install the right side bearing until it seats.
    20. Fig 9: Installing Dial Indicator On Differential Bore
    GM792832Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    NOTE: Do not overspread the component. Spread the component only enough to allow the component to fit. Overspreading may damage the component.
  20. Install a dial indicator in the differential bore. Measure at the top of the bearing bore. Preload the dial indicator and zero it out so that the maximum spread can be read.
  21. The maximum housing spread is 0.30-0.40 mm (0.012-0.016 in).
    22. Fig 10: Installing J44868
    GM792834Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  22. Install J 44868  with the short dowels in the M10 bolt holes. See Special Tools .
  23. Spread the housing by turning the forcing screws. Watch the dial indicator reading, do not over-spread the housing.
  24. After the housing is spread, remove the dial indicator from under the J 44868  . See Special Tools .
    25. Fig 11: Differential Carrier Assembly
    GM792835Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  25. Install the differential carrier assembly into the housing with 2 bearing cups and 1 of the side shims.
    26. Fig 12: Removing J44868
    GM792840Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    IMPORTANT: Do not pry on the housing and do not force or drive the shims into place.
  26. Use a screwdriver to slide the races into the bores and place the other side shim into place.
  27. Remove the J 44868  . See Special Tools .
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