Pinion Depth Adjustment
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 GMC Sonoma, 2003 GMC Jimmy, 2003 Chevrolet S10 Pickup, and 2003 Chevrolet Blazer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Tools Required
- J 33838 Pinion Setting Gage
- J 29763 Static Time Gage
Important: Make sure all of the tools, the pinion bearings, and the pinion bearing cups are clean before proceeding.
- Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant.
- Install the pinion bearings and hold them in place.
- Install the J 33838
and J 29763
as shown.NOTE: Refer to FASTENER NOTICE in Cautions and Notices.
- While holding the J 33838
stationary, install an inch-pound torque wrench on the nut of the J 33838
.
Tighten
Tighten the nut until a rotating torque of 1.0-1.7 N.m (10-15 lb in) is obtained.
- Rotate the assembly several times in both directions in order to seat the pinion bearings.
- Check the rotating torque of the assembly. If the torque is less than 1.0 N.m (10 lb in), tighten the nut.
Tighten
Tighten the nut until a rotating torque of 1.0-1.7 N.m (10-15 lb in) is obtained.
- Adjust the J 29763
to the differential bearing bore by doing the following:
- Loosen the lock nut on the J 29763 .
- Place the contact pad of the J 29763 on the differential side bearing bore.
- With the contact pad of the J 29763 touching the differential side bearing bore, push down on the J 29763 until the needle of the J 29763 has turned 3/4 of a turn clockwise.
- Tighten the lock nut of the J 29763 .
- Rotate the J 33838 back and forth until the needle of the J 29763 indicates the lowest point in the differential side bearing bore.
- At the lowest point of deflection, move the housing of the J 29763 until the needle indicates zero.
- Move the J 33838 back and forth again to verify the zero setting. Adjust the housing of the J 29763 as necessary to set the needle to zero.
- After the zero setting is obtained and verified, grasp the J 33838 by the flats and move the J 33838 out of the differential side bearing bore.
- The value indicated on the J 29763 is the thickness of the shim needed in order to set the depth of the pinion.
- Select the shim that indicates the proper thickness. Measure the shim with a micrometer in order to verify that the thickness is correct.
- Remove the pinion depth setting tools.
- Remove the pinion bearings.
- Install the pinion shim between the pinion and the inner pinion bearing. Refer to DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER ASSEMBLY - ASSEMBLE .