GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Disassembly Procedure

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

  2. Object Number: 866503  Size: SH

    Important: The ring gear bolts on the 8.6 inch axle have left-hand threads. The ring gear bolts on the 9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 inch axles have right-hand threads.

  3. Remove the gear bolts. Discard the bolts.
  4. Notice: Refer to Ring Gear Removal Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 866502  Size: SH
  5. Remove the ring gear from the differential case.
  6. Drive the ring gear off with a brass drift if necessary.


    Object Number: 680404  Size: SH
  7. Remove the differential pinion gears and the differential side gears by performing the following steps:
  8. 4.1. For the 8.6 inch and 9.75 inch axles, remove the pinion shaft lock bolt.
    4.2. For the 10.5 and 10.75 inch axles, remove the pinion shaft pin using a hammer and drift pin.
    4.3. Remove the pinion shaft.
    4.4. Roll the differential pinion gears out of the case with the pinion gear thrust washers.
    4.5. 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.

Assembly Procedure

  1. Lubricate the pinion and side gears using axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .
  2. Install the differential side gear thrust washers to the differential side gears.
  3. Install the differential side gears and thrust washers into the differential case.
  4. If the same differential side gears and the thrust washers are being used, install the gears and the thrust washers to their original locations.


    Object Number: 680404  Size: SH
  5. Install the differential pinion gears and pinion gear thrust washers by performing the following steps:
  6. 4.1. Position one pinion gear between the differential side gears.
    4.2. Position the second pinion gear between the differential side gears directly opposite the of the first gear.
    4.3. Rotate the differential side gears until the pinion gears is directly opposite the opening in the differential case.
    4.4. Install the thrust washers.

    Rotate the pinion gears toward the differential opening in order to permit the sliding in of the thrust washers.

  7. Install the pinion shaft.
  8. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  9. For the 8.6 inch and 9.75 inch axles, install a new pinion shaft lock bolt.
  10. Tighten

        • For the 8.6 inch axle, tighten the new pinion shaft lock bolt to 36 N·m (27 lb ft).
        • For the 9.75 inch axle, tighten the new pinion shaft lock bolt to 27 N·m (20 lb ft).
  11. For the 10.5 and 10.75 inch axle, install a new pinion shaft lock pin using a hammer and a drift pin.
  12. Important: The mating surface of the ring gear and the differential case must be clean and free of burrs before installing the ring gear.


    Object Number: 866505  Size: SH
  13. Install the ring gear to the differential case.

  14. Object Number: 866503  Size: SH

    Important: The ring gear bolts on the 8.6 inch axle have left-hand threads. The ring gear bolts on the 9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 inch axles have right-hand threads.

  15. Install the new ring gear bolts.
  16. Hand start each bolt to ensure that the ring gear is properly installed to the differential case.

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

        • For the 8.6 inch axle, tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 120 N·m (89 lb ft).
        • For the 9.75, 10.5 and 10.75 inch axles, tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 177 N·m (131 lb ft).
  19. Install the differential side bearings. Refer to Differential Side Bearings Replacement .