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Differential Side Bearing Preload Adjustment (10.5 Inch, 11.5 Inch Axles)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 GMC Sierra, 2004 GMC Cab & Chassis Sierra, 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, and 2004 Chevrolet Cab & Chassis Silverado. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Tools Required 

J 24429  Side Bearing Backlash Spanner. See Special Tools and Equipment .

IMPORTANT:
  • The differential side bearing preload is adjusted by the 2 adjusting nuts in the bearing bore. The bore and the bearing cap provide the mating threads for the bearing nut.
  • The differential must be initially preloaded in order to determine the backlash of the gear set. After the backlash is set, the final bearing preload is set.
  • The rotating torque of the drive pinion must be within specifications before the pinion gear bearing retainer can be installed.
  1. Install the pinion gear bearing retainer (10.5 in axle) or the drive pinion. Refer to Drive Pinion Housing and/or Seal Replacement .
    2. IMPORTANT: The rotating torque of the drive pinion must be within specifications before installing the differential case assembly.
  2. Install the drive pinion (11.5 in axle). Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (8.6 Inch, 9.5 Inch, 11.5 Inch Axles)  or Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (9.75 Inch Axle)  or Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) .
  3. Install the differential side bearings, if necessary. Refer to Differential Side Bearings Replacement (All Except 9.75 Inch Axle)  or Differential Side Bearings Replacement (9.75 Inch Axle) .
  4. Install the differential side bearing adjuster nuts.
    5. IMPORTANT: Before installation of the differential case assembly, ensure that the side bearing surfaces in the carrier are clean and free of burrs. If the original bearings are to be reused, the original bearing cups must also be used.
  5. Install the differential case assembly.

    If the differential case assembly cannot be installed, turn the differential side bearing adjuster nuts into the axle housing until the differential case assembly can be installed.

  6. Install the differential bearing caps.
  7. Install the differential bearing cap bolts.

    Tighten the bearing cap bolt finger-tight. Do not torque the bearing cap bolts at this time.

    8. IMPORTANT: Do not force the ring gear into contact with the drive pinion.
  8. Slide the differential case assembly towards the right side axle housing until the ring gear contact the pinion.

    This is the zero backlash point.

    If the zero backlash cannot be obtained, turn the right side differential bearing adjuster nut in towards the axle housing until the ring gear fully contacts the pinion to obtain the zero backlash.

  9. While holding the ring gear against the pinion, turn the left differential bearing adjuster nut out from the axle housing using the J 24429  until it contacts the differential side bearing.
  10. Turn the right differential bearing adjuster nut out from the axle housing using the J 24429  until it contacts the differential side bearing.
  11. Back off the left adjusting nut approximately 2 slots using theJ 24429  in order to obtain the initial backlash adjustment.
  12. Install the left adjuster nut lock and the adjuster nut lock bolt.

    Do not torque the bolt at this time.

  13. Firmly tighten the right differential bearing adjuster nut using theJ 24429  in order to force the differential case assembly into solid contact with the left differential adjuster nut.
  14. Rotate the pinion several times in order to seat the bearings.
  15. Loosen the right differential bearing adjuster nut using the J 24429  until the nut is free from the differential side bearing.
  16. Tighten the right differential bearing adjuster nut using the J 24429  until the differential bearing adjuster nut contacts the bearing.
  17. Once the right differential bearing adjuster contacts the differential bearing, tighten the differential bearing adjuster nut using the J 24429  the following additional amounts:

    Tighten: 

    • For used bearings, tighten the differential bearing adjuster nut an additional 2 slots.
    • For new bearings, tighten the differential bearing adjuster nut an additional 3 slots.

  18. Install the right differential bearing adjuster nut lock.
  19. Install the right differential bearing adjuster nut lock bolt.

    Do not torque the bolt at this time.

    20. NOTE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.
  20. Tighten the bearing cap bolts.

    Tighten: 

    • For the 10.5 in axle, tighten the bearing cap bolts to 185 N.m (136 lb ft).
    • For the 11.5 in axle, tighten the bearing cap bolts to 207 N.m (153 lb ft).

  21. Tighten differential bearing adjuster nut lock bolts.

    Tighten:  Tighten the differential bearing adjuster nut lock bolts to 27 N.m (20 lb ft).

  22. Measure the ring gear to pinion backlash and adjust, if necessary. Refer to Backlash Adjustment (8.6 Inch Axle)  or Backlash Adjustment (9.75 Inch Axle) .
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