Removal Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2019 GMC Savana 3500, 2019 GMC Savana 2500, 2019 Chevrolet Express 3500, and 2019 Chevrolet Express 2500. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Raise the vehicle. Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Without Dual Rear Wheels) , or Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (With Dual Rear Wheels)
Remove the brake rotor. Rear Brake Rotor Replacement (JH6) , or Rear Brake Rotor Replacement (JH9)
Remove the rear axle housing cover and the gasket. Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) , or Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement (9.5 Inch Axle)
Remove the pinion shaft locking bolt.
On axles without a locking differential, remove the pinion shaft.
On axles with a locking differential, remove the shaft part way. Rotate the case until the pinion shaft touches the housing.
On axles with a locking differential, use a screwdriver, or a similar tool, to enter the differential case and rotate the C-lock (1) until the C-lock aligns with the thrust block (2).
Remove rear wheel speed sensor. Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement (8.6 Axle) , or Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement (JH9) , or Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement (JH6) , or Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement (10.5 Axle)
Push the flange of the axle shaft (3) toward the differential.
Remove the C-lock from the button end of the axle shaft.
NOTE:
When removing the axle shaft, do not rotate the shaft. Rotating the shaft will misalign the gears. Misaligning the gears will make the installing of the axle shaft difficult.

Remove the axle shaft from the housing.
NOTE:
Perform the following step if the axle shaft is hard to remove.

Using the J-2619-01 slide hammer (1) and the J-45859 remover/installer (2) to remove the axle shaft from the housing.