Removal Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Aztek and 2003 Buick Rendezvous. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Important: This procedure is for front-wheel-drive vehicles ONLY. The final drive for all-wheel-drive vehicles is part of the transfer case which MUST be serviced with the transmission removed from the vehicle. For transfer case replacement, refer to TRANSFER CASE AND/OR SEAL REPLACEMENT .

Remove the case extension housing. Refer to CASE EXTENSION HOUSING REPLACEMENT .
Rotate the differential carrier until the end of the output shaft can be seen and the differential pinion shaft (701) is in a horizontal position.

Fig 1: Removing Final Drive (1 Of 4)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Place the J 42562 between the end of the output shaft and the differential pinion shaft.
Using a hammer, hit the end of the axle removal tool in order to compress the output shaft compression ring (512) and push the output shaft through the differential side gear.
Remove the differential carrier (700).
Using snap ring pliers remove the compression ring (512) from the output shaft.

Fig 2: Removing Final Drive (2 Of 4)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Remove the sun gear thrust bearing (698) from the differential carrier sun gear. The bearing may be stuck to the differential carrier.
Remove the differential carrier sun gear (697).
Remove the park gear (696).
Remove the internal gear thrust bearing (695) from the differential carrier internal gear.
Remove the sun gear shaft (689).

Fig 3: Removing Final Drive (3 Of 4)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Inspect the sun gear shaft (689) for damage.

Fig 4: Removing Final Drive (4 Of 4)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.