Drive Pinion Assembly & Preload
- Place required shims and baffle (if used) in inner bearing bore. See PINION DEPTH ADJUSTMENT . Use Pinion Bearing Race Installer (D-111
on 9 3/4" axles; C-4204
on 10 1/2" and 11" axles) and Handle (C-4171
) to install drive pinion inner bearing race into drive axle housing. Ensure race is fully seated on shims.
- Use Pinion Bearing Race Installer (J-7818
) and Handle (J-8092
) to install drive pinion outer bearing race into drive axle housing. Use Pinion Bearing Installer (J-5590
) to install inner bearing and baffle (if used) on drive pinion.
- Install drive pinion in drive axle housing. Install outer drive pinion bearing and slinger (if used). Install preload shims. Lubricate and install oil seal.
- Install drive pinion flange. Install washer and drive pinion nut. Using Pinion Flange Holder/Remover (J-8614-01
), tighten drive pinion nut. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS table. Rotate drive pinion several times to seat bearings.
- Using an INCH-lb. torque wrench, rotate pinion and check preload. Torque wrench should read 6-8 INCH lbs. (.68-.90 N.m) for axles with 4.63-5.13 axle ratio or 20-40 INCH lbs. (2.26-4.53 N.m) on all others. See Fig 1. If necessary, remove small diameter shims to increase preload, or add shims to decrease preload.
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.