Disassembly Procedure

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Remove the differential side bearings. Refer to Differential Side Bearings Replacement .

Fig 1: Identifying Ring Gear Bolts

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

IMPORTANT: The ring gear bolts have left-hand threads.

Remove the ring gear bolts and discard the bolts.

Fig 2: Removing Ring Gear From Differential

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

NOTE: Refer to Ring Gear Removal Notice .

Using a brass drift and a hammer, remove the ring gear from the differential case.

Fig 3: Exploded View Of Differential Case

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Remove the differential pinion gears and the differential side gears by performing the following steps:
1. Remove the pinion shaft lock bolt.
2. Remove the pinion shaft.
3. Roll the differential pinion gears out of the case with the pinion gear thrust washers.
4. Remove the differential side gears and the side gear thrust washers.
  Mark the pinion gears top and bottom and the differential side gears left and right.