- Raise and support vehicle. Drain lubricant and remove housing cover. Mount dial indicator and measure and record ring gear runout. See RING GEAR & DIFFERENTIAL CASE RUNOUT CHECKING PROCEDURE
. Measure and record ring gear backlash. See Figure
and DIFFERENTIAL BEARING PRELOAD & RING GEAR BACKLASH
procedure.
- Remove axle shafts. See AXLE SHAFT & BEARING
under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Place alignment marks on drive shaft, yoke and companion flange for reassembly reference.
- Remove drive shaft. Install plug in transmission extension housing to prevent oil leakage. Mark differential bearing caps for reassembly reference and note arrow position. Loosen bearing cap bolts. Pry out differential case, bearing races and shims until loose in bearing caps.
NOTE:
Bearing races and caps must be installed in original positions.
- Remove bearing caps and differential. Remove pinion nut and companion flange. Drive pinion out of front bearing using soft-faced hammer. Remove pinion from housing. Remove oil seal using slide hammer.
- Remove front bearing. Mount bearing puller on pinion shaft, and press shaft out of bearing. Remove, measure, and record thickness of shim located behind bearing. Remove differential side bearings with a puller.
NOTE:
DO NOT
remove pinion bearing races unless damaged. If races are replaced, bearings must also be replaced.
- Mark differential case and ring gear for reassembly reference. Remove and discard ring gear mounting bolts. Press or tap off ring gear. Remove exciter ring from differential case (if necessary). If exciter ring is removed from differential case, a NEW
exciter ring must be installed. Remove pinion shaft lock bolt and remove shaft. Remove pinion gears, side gears and thrust washers.
NOTE:
Tab on exciter ring must be aligned with slot in differential case.