Differential Carrier Assembly - Final Assembly (8.25 S4WD and 9.25 Axles)

Tools Required

• J 8092  Universal Driver Handle - 3/4 in - 10
• J 33842  Pilot Bearing Installer. See Special Tools .
• J 36609  Axle Tube Bearing Installer. See Special Tools .
• J 36616  Axle Mount Bushing Remover/Installer
• J 45225  Axle Seal Installer. See Special Tools .

1. Inspect the alignment mark between the differential bearing adjuster and the differential carrier assembly case. If the line between the differential bearing adjuster and the differential carrier assembly case is not aligned, re-align the 2 components as necessary.
2. Bend the differential adjuster nut lock tabs over the differential adjuster nut sleeves, 8.25 inch axle - both sides, 9.25 inch axle - right side.
Fig 1: View Of Left Side Differential Bearing Adjuster Nut Lock & Bolt
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
3. Install the differential adjuster nut lock, 9.25 inch axle - left side.
NOTE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.
4. Install the differential adjuster nut lock bolt.

   Tighten:  Tighten the differential adjuster lock nut bolt to 20 N.m (15 lb ft).

5. Lubricate the clutch shaft pilot bearing with axle lubricant. Use the correct fluid. Refer to Sealers, Adhesives, and Lubricants .
Fig 2: Installing Clutch Shaft Pilot Bearing - Front Drive Axle
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
6. Install the clutch shaft pilot bearing using the J 33842  . See Special Tools .
Fig 3: View Of Clutch Shaft To Differential Carrier Case Half
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
7. Install the clutch shaft to the differential carrier case half.
Fig 4: View Of Vent Hose Connector
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
8. If servicing the 9.25 inch axle, install the vent hose connector.

   Tighten:  Tighten the vent hose connector to 28 N.m (21 lb ft).

Fig 5: View Of Vent Hose & Connector
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
9. If servicing the 8.25 inch axle, install the vent hose connector.

   Tighten:  Tighten the vent hose connector to 20 N.m (15 lb ft).

Fig 6: Installing New Axle Shaft Seal Using J 45225 & J 8092 - Front Drive Axle
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
10. Install the new left side axle shaft seal using the J 45225  (1) and the J 8092  (2). See Special Tools .
11. Install the new left side inner axle shaft retainer ring.
Fig 7: View Of Left Side Inner Axle Shaft
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
12. Install the left side inner axle shaft by doing the following:
    1. Install the left side inner shaft into the differential carrier assembly until the inner shaft is seated against the differential side gear.
    2. While holding the inner shaft against the differential side gear, turn the inner shaft in order to align the splines of the inner shaft with the splines on the differential side gear.
    3. Drive the inner shaft into the differential case side gear using a soft-faced mallet until the retaining ring on the inner shaft is fully seated within the groove in the differential case side gear.

       Pull back on the inner shaft to ensure that the inner shaft is properly retained in the differential case side gear.

Fig 8: Installing Side Bearing Using J 36609 & J 8092 - Front Drive Axle
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
13. Install the right side inner shaft bearing into the inner shaft housing by performing the following steps:
    1. Install the inner axle shaft housing into a vise.

       Clamp only on the mounting flange of the inner axle shaft housing.

    2. Install the bearing with the square shoulder in using the J 36609  (1) and the J 8092  (2). See Special Tools .
Fig 9: Installing New Axle Shaft Seal Using J 45225 & J 8092 - Front Drive Axle
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
14. Install the new right side inner axle shaft seal using the J 45225  (1) and the J 8092  (2). See Special Tools .
Fig 10: View Of Axle Shaft Housing Components (9.25 Inch)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
15. Install the following components into the inner shaft housing:
    1. Install the inner axle shaft (1).

       Carefully tap the inner axle shaft into place with a soft-faced mallet.

    IMPORTANT: Use chassis grease in order to hold the thrust washer in place.
    2. Install the thrust washer (with tabs) (5).

       Ensure the tabs on the thrust washer are aligned with the slots in the inner shaft housing.

    3. Install the thrust washer (without tabs) (6).
    4. Install the new retainer ring (7) onto the inner axle shaft (1).
    5. Determine the clutch gear shim thickness. Refer to Inner Axle Shaft Shim Adjustment  .
    6. Install the clutch gear shim (9).
    7. Install the clutch sleeve (8).
    8. Install the clutch fork assembly (11).
    9. Install the clutch fork inner spring (10).
    10. Install the inner axle housing gasket.
IMPORTANT: The following service procedure is for the 9.25 inch axle ONLY.
16. Apply sealant to the inner shaft housing to differential carrier sealing surface. Use the correct sealant. Refer to Sealers, Adhesives, and Lubricants .
Fig 11: View Of Inner Axle Shaft Housing Assembly To Differential Carrier Assembly
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
17. Install the inner shaft housing to the differential carrier assembly case.
18. If servicing the 8.28 inch axle, install the inner shaft housing bolts.

    Tighten:  Tighten the inner shaft housing bolts to 73 N.m (54 lb ft).

19. If servicing the 9.25 inch axle, install the inner shaft housing bolts.

    Tighten:  Tighten the inner shaft housing bolts to 40 N.m (30 lb ft).

20. Install the drain plug and the washer.
21. Install the fill plug and the washer.

    Tighten:  Tighten the drain plug and the fill plug to 33 N.m (24 lb ft).

Fig 12: Inner Axle Shaft (8.25 Inch Axles)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
NOTE: Refer to Component Fastener Tightening Notice in Cautions and Notices.
22. Install the front drive axle actuator.

    Apply sealant to the threads of the front axle actuator. Use the correct sealant. Refer to Sealers, Adhesives, and Lubricants .

    Tighten:  Tighten the front drive axle actuator to 20 N.m (15 lb ft).

Fig 13: View Of Lower Differential Carrier Assembly Bushing, J 21474-18, Thrust Bearing, J 36616-2, J 36616-1, & Forcing Screw
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
IMPORTANT: The following service procedures are for the 9.25 inch axle ONLY.
23. Install the lower differential carrier assembly bushing by performing the following steps:
    1. Install the J 21474-18 (1), the thrust bearing (2), the J 36616-2 (3), the J 36616-1 (4), and the forcing screw (5) as shown.
    2. While holding the forcing screw, slowly tighten the J 21474-18 until the bushing has stopped against the step on the bushing and is centered within the differential carrier assembly bushing bore.
Fig 14: Installing Upper Differential Carrier Assembly Bushing J 21474-18, Thrust Bearing, J 36616-2, J 36616-1, & Forcing Screw
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
IMPORTANT: The following service procedures are for the 9.25 inch axle ONLY.
24. Install the upper differential carrier assembly bushing by performing the following steps:
    1. Install the J 21474-18 (1), the thrust bearing (2), the J 36616-2 (3), the J 36616-1 (4), and the forcing screw (5) as shown.
    2. While holding the forcing screw, slowly tighten the J 21474-18 until the bushing has stopped against the step on the bushing and is centered within the differential carrier assembly bushing bore.
25. Install the differential carrier assembly. Refer to Differential Carrier Assembly Replacement (1500 4WD)  or Differential Carrier Assembly Replacement (2500 4WD) .