Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement 8.6 Inch Axle

Tools Required

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
2. Remove the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement .
3. Remove the drive pinion from the axle. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement .



4. Press the bearing off of the drive pinion using the J 22912-B .
5. Remove the selective pinion shim.



6. Remove the outer pinion bearing cup from the axle housing using a hammer and a brass drift in the slots provided. Move the drift back and forth between one side of the cup and the other in order to work the cups out of the housing evenly.



7. Remove the inner pinion bearing cup from the axle housing using a hammer and a brass drift in the slots provided. Move the drift back and forth between one side of the cup and the other in order to work the cups out of the housing evenly.

1. Install the outer pinion bearing cup using the J 8611-01  (1) and the J 8092  (2).



2. Install the inner pinion bearing cup using the J 45870  (2), and the J 8092  (1).
3. Determine the selective shim thickness for the drive pinion. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment .
4. Install the selective shim between the inner pinion bearing and the shoulder on the gear.



5. Install the inner pinion bearing using the J 24433 .

Press the bearing on until the cone seats on the pinion shim.

6. Install a new collapsible spacer.
7. Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .
8. Install the outer pinion bearing into the axle housing.



9. Install a new pinion oil seal using the J 38694 .
10. Install the pinion into the axle housing.
11. Apply sealant, GM P/N 12346004 (Canadian P/N 10953480) or equivalent, to the splines of the pinion yoke.



12. Install the pinion yoke.

Align the marks made during removal.

Notice: Refer to Pinion Flange/Yoke Installation Notice in the Preface section.

13. Seat the pinion yoke onto the pinion shaft by tapping it with a soft-faced hammer until a few threads show through the yoke.
14. Install the washer.

Important: Do not reuse the pinion nut.

15. Install the new pinion nut.



16. Install the J 8614-01 onto the pinion yoke as shown.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

Important: If the rotating torque is exceeded, the pinion will have to be removed and a new collapsible spacer installed.

17. Tighten the pinion nut while holding the J 8614-01 .

Tighten
Tighten the pinion nut until the pinion end play is just taken up. Rotate the pinion while tightening the nut to seat the bearings.




18. Measure the rotating torque of the pinion using an inch-pound torque wrench.

Specification
The rotating torque of the pinion should be between 1.0-2.3 N·m (10-20 lb in) for used bearings, or 1.7-3.4 N·m (15-30 lb in) for new bearings .

19. If the rotating torque measurement is below 1.0 N·m (10 lb in) for used bearings, or 1.7 N·m (15 lb in) for new bearings, continue to tighten the pinion nut.

Tighten
Tighten the pinion nut, in small increments, as needed, until the torque required in order to rotate the pinion is between 1.0-2.3 N·m (10-20 lb in) for used bearings, or 1.7-3.4 N·m (15-30 lb in) for new bearings.

20. Once the specified torque is obtained, rotate the pinion several times to ensure the bearings have seated.

Recheck the rotating torque and adjust if necessary.

21. Install the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement .
22. Fill the axle with the proper axle lubricant. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement .
23. Lower the vehicle.

Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement 9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 Inch Axles

Special Tools

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



4. Remove the thrust washer.



5. Install the J 22536 as shown.

Ensure that the J 22536 is firmly seated on the pinion.

6. Drive the pinion out using the J 22536 and a hammer.

Strike the J 22536 slowly. Do not let the pinion fall out of the rear axle housing.

7. Remove the pinion preload shims, both axles, and the pinion spacer, 10.5 and 10.75 inch axles only, from the drive pinion and set aside.



8. Remove the inner pinion bearing cup and the oil deflector using the J 45703 , 9.75 inch axle, or the J 45706 , 10.5 and 10.75 inch axles (2) and the J 42176 (1).
9. Remove the outer pinion bearing cup using the J 45705 and the J 42176 .



10. Remove the inner pinion bearing using the J 22912-B and a hydraulic press.
11. Remove the selective pinion shim.

1. For the 9.75 inch axle, install the inner pinion bearing cup using the J 45704 (2) and the J 8092 (1).
2. For the 10.5 and 10.75 inch axles, install the inner pinion bearing cup using the J 44417 (2) and the J 8092 (1).



3. Install the outer pinion bearing cup using the J 7818 (2) and the J 8092 (1).
4. Determine the selective pinion shim thickness and the pinion preload shim thickness for the drive pinion. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment.
5. Install the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement.
6. Fill the axle with the proper axle lubricant. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement.
7. Lower the vehicle.