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Home >> Chevrolet >> 2002 >> Blazer 4D Utility, 4WD, Part Time >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 829 (Rear Drive Axle) >> Repair Instructions >> Differential Side Bearing Preload Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle) >> Tools Required

Tools Required

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J 24429  Side Bearing Backlash Spanner

Important:  The rotating torque of the drive pinion must be within specifications before the pinion gear bearing retain or the differential case assembly can be installed.

  1. Install the pinion gear bearing retainer assembly. Refer to DRIVE PINION HOUSING AND/OR SEAL REPLACEMENT  .

    Important:  The differential side bearing preload is adjusted by the 2 adjusting nuts in the bearing bore. The bore and the bearing cap provide the mating threads for the bearing nut.

    The differential must be initially prelubricated in order to determine the backlash of the gear set. After the backlash is set, the final bearing preload is set.

  2. Install the differential side bearings, if necessary. Refer to DIFFERENTIAL SIDE BEARINGS REPLACEMENT (ALL EXCEPT 9.75 INCH AXLE)  or DIFFERENTIAL SIDE BEARINGS REPLACEMENT (9.75 INCH AXLE)  .
  3. Install the differential side bearing adjuster nuts.

    Important:  Before installation of the differential case assembly, ensure that the side bearing surfaces in the carrier are clean and free of burrs. If the original bearings are to be reused, the original bearing cups must also be used.

    If the differential case assembly cannot be installed, turn the differential side bearing adjuster nuts into the axle housing until the differential case assembly until the proper clearance can be obtained.

  4. Install the differential case assembly.
  5. Install the differential bearing caps.
  6. Install the differential bearing cap bolts.

    Important:  In the following service procedure, DO NOT torque the bearing cap bolts, only finger tighten them.

  7. Install the bearing cap bolts.

    Important:  DO NOT FORCE the ring gear into contact with the drive pinion.

  8. Slide the differential case assembly towards the right side axle housing until the ring gear contact the pinion (this is the zero backlash point).

    Important:  If the zero backlash cannot be obtained, turn the right side differential bearing adjuster nut in towards the axle housing until the ring gear fully contacts the pinion to obtain the zero backlash.

  9. Check for zero backlash.
  10. While holding the ring gear against the pinion, turn the left differential bearing adjuster nut out from the axle housing using the J 24429  until it contacts the differential side bearing.
  11. Turn the right differential bearing adjuster nut out from the axle housing using the J 24429  until it contacts the differential side bearing.
  12. Back off the left adjusting nut approximately 2 slots using the J 24429  in order to obtain the initial backlash adjustment.

    Important:  In the following service procedure, DO NOT torque the adjuster nut lock bolt.

  13. Install the left adjuster nut lock and the adjuster nut lock bolt.
  14. Using the J 24429  , tighten the right differential bearing adjuster nut until the differential case is in contact with the left differential adjuster nut.
  15. Rotate the pinion several times in order to seat the bearings.
  16. Loosen the right differential bearing adjuster nut using the J 24429  until the nut is free from the differential side bearing.
  17. Tighten the right differential bearing adjuster nut using the J 24429  until the differential bearing adjuster nut contacts the bearing.
  18. Once the right differential bearing adjuster contacts the differential bearing, tighten the differential bearing adjuster nut using the J 24429  the following additional amounts:

    Tighten: 

    • For used bearings, tighten the differential bearing adjuster nut an additional 2 slots.
    • For new bearings, tighten the differential bearing adjuster nut an additional 3 slots.
  19. Install the right differential bearing adjuster nut lock.

    Important:  In the following service procedures, DO NOT torque the bolt at this time

  20. Install the right differential bearing adjuster nut lock bolt.
    NOTE: Refer to FASTENER NOTICE in Cautions and Notices.
  21. Tighten the bearing cap bolts.

    Tighten: 

    Tighten the bearing cap bolts to 185 N.m (136 lb ft).

  22. Tighten differential bearing adjuster nut lock bolts.

    Tighten: 

    Tighten the differential bearing adjuster nut lock bolts to 27 N.m (20 lb ft).

  23. Measure the ring gear to pinion backlash and adjust, if necessary. Refer to BACKLASH ADJUSTMENT (ALL EXCEPT 9.75 INCH AXLE)  or BACKLASH ADJUSTMENT (9.75 INCH AXLE)  .
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