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Home >> GMC >> 1991 >> Value Van 7.4 N >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Drivelines & Axles >> Differentials & Drive Axles >> Drive Axle - Gm 10 1/2" >> Overhaul >> Differential Assembly >> Disassembly

Differential Assembly: Disassembly

  1. Place drain pan under differential carrier cover. Loosen housing cover bolts and drain lubricant. Remove housing cover and axle shafts. See AXLE SHAFT . Remove pinion flange bolts, and position drive shaft out of way. Note and record ring gear backlash, and pinion bearing preload for reassembly reference. Mark bearing caps for reassembly reference.
  2. Remove adjusting nut locks and lock bolts from bearing caps. Remove bearing caps. Use Adjusting Nut Wrench (J-24429) to loosen side bearing adjusting nuts, and remove differential case assembly from axle housing. Remove differential side bearings using Puller (J-22888) and Plug (J-8107).
    NOTE: Jaws of Puller (J-22888) must pull from beneath bearing cone, not cage.
  3. Scribe mark across differential case halves. Remove left-hand thread ring gear bolts. Remove ring gear using brass drift if necessary. Split case halves. Remove differential side gears and thrust washers. Mark case halves and gears as left or right for reassembly.
  4. Remove differential pinion spider gear. Remove pinion gears and thrust washers from spider. Check pinion bearing preload using an INCH-lb. torque wrench. Looseness indicates excessive wear. See AXLE ASSEMBLY SPECIFICATIONS  table.
  5. Remove 6 pinion cage assembly bolts and washers. Remove pinion assembly. It may be necessary to tap on pinion gear with a brass drift to free cage. Remove pinion cage and cage shims. Ensure shims are marked as right or left for side identification. Set shims aside for later measurement.
  6. Place pinion cage assembly in a soft-jawed vise. Using Companion Flange Holder Set (J-8614-01), remove pinion nut and flange. See Fig 1. Place pinion cage in press and press pinion from cage. DO NOT  let pinion fall to floor.
  7. Remove collapsible spacer from pinion. Using Press and Bearing Remover (J-22912-01), press inner bearing from pinion. Using a hammer and punch, remove pinion seal from pinion cage. Remove outer bearing from pinion cage.
  8. Remove bearing cups from pinion cage. Using a hammer and brass drift, remove pilot bearing from axle housing.
    Fig 1: Removing Pinion Flange
    G71751Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
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