Disassembly Procedure

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Remove the differential side bearings. Refer to DIFFERENTIAL SIDE BEARINGS REPLACEMENT (ALL EXCEPT 9.75 INCH AXLE) or DIFFERENTIAL SIDE BEARINGS REPLACEMENT (9.75 INCH AXLE) .
Important: The ring gear bolts have left-hand threads.
Remove the gear bolts. Discard the bolts.

Fig 1: Disassembling Differential - 8.6 Inch Axle (1 Of 3)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

NOTE: Refer to RING GEAR REMOVAL NOTICE in Cautions and Notices.
Remove the ring gear from the differential case.
Drive the ring gear off with a brass drift if necessary.

Fig 2: Disassembling Differential - 8.6 Inch Axle (2 Of 3)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the differential pinion gears and the differential side gears by performing the following steps:
1. Remove the pinion shaft lock bolt.
2. Remove the pinion shaft.
3. Roll the differential pinion gears out of the case with the pinion gear thrust washers.
4. Remove the differential side gears and the side gear thrust washers.
  Mark the pinion gears top and bottom and the differential side gears left and right.
  
  Fig 3: Disassembling Differential - 8.6 Inch Axle (3 Of 3)
  Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.