Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement 10.5 Inch Axle

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
2. Remove the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement.
3. Remove the pinion gear bearing retainer. Refer to Drive Pinion Housing and/or Seal Replacement.
4. Remove the drive pinion and the pinion bearings. Refer to Drive Pinion Housing and/or Seal Replacement.



5. Remove the ring gear bolts. Discard the bolts.

Notice: Refer to Ring Gear Removal Notice in the Preface section.

6. Remove the ring gear from the differential. Drive the gear off with a brass drift if necessary.

1. If the differential case has become separated, assemble the differential case by aligning the two arrows inside the differential case as shown.

Important: The mating surface of the ring gear and the differential case must be clean and free of burrs before installing the ring gear.

2. Install the ring gear to the differential case.




Important: DO NOT use air or power tools for the following procedure.

3. Hand tighten the new ring gear bolts.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

4. Tighten the new ring gear bolts. Tighten the ring gear bolts alternately and in stages, gradually pulling the ring gear onto the differential case.

Tighten
Tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 165 N·m (122 lb ft).

5. Install the pinion and the pinion bearings. Refer to Drive Pinion Housing and/or Seal Replacement.
6. Install the pinion gear bearing retainer. Refer to Drive Pinion Housing and/or Seal Replacement.
7. Install the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement.
8. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement.
9. Lower the vehicle.

Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement 8.6 Inch Axle

Special Tools

J 22536 Pinion Driver

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
2. Remove the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement .
3. Remove the pinion flange/yoke and the oil seal. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement .




Important: Ensure that the J 22536 is firmly seated on the drive pinion.

4. Using the J 22536 and a hammer, remove the drive pinion from the housing. DO NOT let the drive pinion fall out of the rear axle housing.



5. Remove the collapsible spacer from the pinion. Discard the spacer.
6. Remove the pinion bearings and the cups. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement .




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

7. Remove the ring gear bolts. DO NOT re-use the ring gear bolts. Discard and replace with NEW.

Notice: Refer to Ring Gear Removal Notice in the Preface section.




8. Using a brass drift, remove the ring gear from the differential.

Important: The mating surface of the ring gear and the differential case must be clean and free of burrs before installing the ring gear.




1. Install the ring gear to the differential case.




Important: The ring gear bolts have left-hand threads. Hand start each ring gear bolt so as not to cross thread the ring gear bolts or the differential carrier.

2. Install the new ring gear bolts.
3. Using the proper hand tools, tighten the ring gear bolts in a criss cross pattern to draw and seat the ring gear and the differential carrier.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

4. Tighten the ring gear bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the ring gear bolts in the criss cross pattern to 120 N·m (89 lb ft).

5. Install the pinion bearing cups. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement .
6. Determine the selective shim thickness for the pinion gear. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment .
7. Install the selective shim onto the pinion.
8. Install the inner pinion bearing to the pinion. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement .
9. Install a new collapsible spacer.
10. Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .
11. Install the outer pinion bearing into the axle housing.
12. Install the pinion into the axle housing.
13. Install the drive pinion flange/yoke. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement .
14. Install the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement .
15. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement .
16. Lower the vehicle.