Installation Procedure
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- Determine the pinion position shim thickness and the pinion preload shim thickness for the drive pinion gear. Refer to PINION DEPTH ADJUSTMENT (8.6 INCH, 9.5 INCH AXLES)
or PINION DEPTH ADJUSTMENT (9.75 INCH AXLE)
or PINION DEPTH ADJUSTMENT (10.5 INCH AXLE)
.
Important: The mating surface of the ring gear and the differential case must be clean and free of burrs before installing the ring gear.
- Install the ring gear to the differential case.
Align the holes in the differential case to the bolts holes in the ring gear.
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Important: The ring gear bolts have right-hand threads.
- Install the new ring gear bolts.
Hand start each bolt to ensure that the ring gear is properly installed to the differential case.
NOTE: Refer to FASTENER NOTICE in Cautions and Notices. - Tighten the new ring gear bolts. Tighten the ring gear bolts alternately and in stages, gradually pulling the ring gear onto the differential case.
Tighten:
Tighten the new ring gear bolts to 178 N.m (131 lb ft).
- Install the differential assembly. Refer to DIFFERENTIAL REPLACEMENT (8.6 INCH, 9.5 INCH AXLES) or DIFFERENTIAL REPLACEMENT (9.75 INCH AXLE) or DIFFERENTIAL REPLACEMENT (10.5 INCH AXLE) .
- Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to LUBRICANT REPLACEMENT - REAR DRIVE AXLE (8.6 INCH AXLE) or LUBRICANT REPLACEMENT - REAR DRIVE AXLE (9.5, 10.5 INCH AXLE) or LUBRICANT REPLACEMENT - REAR DRIVE AXLE (9.75 INCH AXLE) .
- Lower the vehicle.