GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Rear Axle Housing Replacement All Except 9.75 Inch Axle

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Remove the axle lubricant. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement .
  3. Remove the rear axle assembly. Refer to Rear Axle Replacement .
  4. Remove the brake caliper brackets. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Bracket Replacement in Disc Brakes.
  5. Remove the wheel hub. Refer to Rear Axle Hub, Bearing, Cup, and/or Seal Replacement (10.5 inch axles only).
  6. Remove the rear axle cover housing and gasket. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement .
  7. Remove the brake backing plates. Refer to Rear Disc Brake Backing Plate Replacement .
  8. Remove the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement (8.6 inch, 9.5 inch axles) or Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement (10.5 inch axles).
  9. Remove the differential. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement .
  10. Remove the drive pinion. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement .
  11. Remove the drive pinion shaft yoke and the seal. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement .

Installation Procedure

  1. Install the drive pinion. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement .
  2. Install the differential case. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement .
  3. Adjust the side bearing preload. Refer to Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment .
  4. Adjust the backlash. Refer to Backlash Adjustment .
  5. Perform a gear tooth contact pattern check. Refer to Gear Tooth Contact Pattern Inspection .
  6. Install the brake backing plates. Refer to Rear Disc Brake Backing Plate Replacement .
  7. Install the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement (8.6 inch, 9.5 inch axles) or Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement (10.5 inch axles).
  8. Install the rear axle housing cover and gasket. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement .
  9. Install the brake caliper brackets. Refer to Rear Brake Caliper Bracket Replacement in Disc Brakes.
  10. Install the wheel hub. Refer to Rear Axle Hub, Bearing, Cup, and/or Seal Replacement (10.5 inch axles only).
  11. Install the rear axle. Refer to Rear Axle Replacement .
  12. Fill the axle with lubricant. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement .
  13. Lower the vehicle.

Rear Axle Housing Replacement 9.75 Inch Axle

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Remove the steering gear protection shield. Refer to Steering Gear Protection Shield Replacement in Rear Wheel Steering.
  3. Remove the axle lubricant. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement .
  4. Remove the rear axle assembly. Refer to Rear Axle Replacement .
  5. Remove the steering knuckles. Refer to Steering Knuckle Replacement in Rear Wheel Steering.
  6. Remove the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement .
  7. Remove the differential. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement .
  8. Remove the drive pinion shaft yoke and the pinion oil seal. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement .
  9. Remove the drive pinion and the outer pinion bearing. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement .
  10. Remove the pinion bearing cups. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement .

Installation Procedure

  1. Install the pinion bearing cups. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement .
  2. Install the drive pinion outer pinion bearing and the pinion oil seal. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement .
  3. Install the drive pinion. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement .
  4. Install the pinion yoke. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement .
  5. Install the differential case. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement .
  6. Adjust the side bearing preload. Refer to Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment .
  7. Adjust the backlash. Refer to Backlash Adjustment .
  8. Perform a gear tooth contact pattern check. Refer to Gear Tooth Contact Pattern Inspection .
  9. Install the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement .
  10. Install the steering knuckles. Refer to Steering Knuckle Replacement in Rear Wheel Steering.
  11. Install the rear axle. Refer to Rear Axle Replacement .
  12. Install the steering gear protection shield. Refer to Steering Gear Protection Shield Replacement in Rear Wheel Steering.
  13. Fill the axle with lubricant. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement .
  14. Lower the vehicle.