GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement 10.5 Inch Axle

Special Tools

    • J 8092 Universal Driver Handle - ¾ in - 10
    • J 8608 Rear Pinion Bearing Installer
    • J 8614-01 Flange and Pulley Holding Tool
    • J 22761 Differential Side Bearing Installer
    • J 22912-B Split Plate Bearing Puller
    • J 24433 Pinion Cone and Side Bearing Installer
    • J 37624 Pinon Bearing Installer
    • J 44414 Rear Axle Pinion Oil Seal Installer

Removal Procedure

  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 Bearings Replacement.
  4. Remove the pinion yoke and the oil seal. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement.
  5. Remove the outer pinion bearing.

  6. Object Number: 694822  Size: SH
  7. Remove the pinion.

  8. Object Number: 739955  Size: SH
  9. Remove the collapsible spacer.

  10. Object Number: 680110  Size: SH
  11. Using the J 22912-B and a hydraulic press, remove the inner pinion bearing from the pinion.

  12. Object Number: 739944  Size: SH

    Important: Insert the brass drift in the slots to remove the bearing cup.

    Important: Move the drift back and forth between one side of the cup and the other in order to work the cups out of the retainer evenly.

  13. Using a hammer and a brass drift, remove the outer pinion bearing cup.

  14. Object Number: 739945  Size: SH

    Important: Insert the brass drift in the slots to remove the bearing cup.

    Important: Move the drift back and forth between one side of the cup and the other in order to work the cups out of the retainer evenly.

  15. Using a hammer and a brass drift, remove the inner pinion bearing cup.

  16. Object Number: 694509  Size: SH
  17. Using a brass drift and a hammer, remove the pinion gear pilot bearing.

Installation Procedure

  1. Using the J 22761 , install the pinion gear pilot bearing.

  2. Object Number: 739952  Size: SH
  3. Using the J 37624  (2) and the J 8092  (1), install the inner pinion bearing cup in the pinion gear bearing retainer.

  4. Object Number: 739946  Size: SH
  5. Using the J 8608  (2) and the J 8092  (1), install the outer pinion bearing cup in the pinion gear bearing retainer.

  6. Object Number: 739953  Size: SH

    Important: Press the bearing on until the cone seats on the pinion.

  7. Using the J 24433 and a hydraulic press, install the inner pinion bearing.
  8. Install the new collapsible spacer.
  9. Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations.
  10. Install the outer pinion bearing into the pinion bearing retainer.
  11. Using the J 44414 , install the new pinion oil seal.

  12. Object Number: 739961  Size: SH
  13. Install the pinion in the pinion gear bearing retainer.
  14. Apply sealant, GM  P/N 12346004 (Canadian P/N 10953480) or equivalent, to the splines of the pinion yoke.
  15. Install the drive pinion flange/yoke. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement
  16. Important:  Do not apply sealant to the pinion gear bearing retainer at this time.

  17. Install the original shim to the pinion bearing retainer. If the original shim is not available, install a 0.41 mm (0.016 in) shim to build pinion depth.
  18. Install the pinion gear bearing retainer to the axle housing.
  19. Install the pinion bearing retainer bolts.
  20. Tighten
    Tighten the pinion gear retainer bolts to 88 N·m (65 lb ft).


    Object Number: 661077  Size: SH
  21. Using an inch-pound torque wrench, measure the rotating torque of the pinion.
  22. 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 .

  23. 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, install the J 8614-01 and continue to tighten the pinion nut.
  24. 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.

  25. Once the specified torque is obtained, rotate the pinion several times to ensure the bearings have seated.
  26. Recheck the rotating torque and adjust if necessary.

  27. Install the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement.
  28. Adjust the differential side bearing preload. Refer to Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment.
  29. Determine the selective shim thickness for the drive pinion. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment.
  30. Adjust the backlash. Refer to Backlash Adjustment.
  31. Fill the axle with lubricant. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement.
  32. Lower the vehicle.

Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement 8.6, 9.5, 11.5 Inch Axle

Special Tools

    • J 7818 Inner Bearing Race Installer
    • J 8092 Universal Driver Handle - ¾ in - 10
    • J 8611-01 Rear Pinion Bearing Race Installer
    • J 8614-01 Flange and Pulley Holding Tool
    • J 22306 Pinion Cup Bearing Installer - Rear
    • J 22912-B Split Plate Bearing Puller
    • J 22828 Input/Counterbalance Race Installer
    • DT-47688 Pinion Bearing Remover, 8.6 Inch Axle Installer
    • J 36614 Inner Pinion Bearing Installer
    • J 45870 Pinion Bearing Cup Installer

Removal Procedure

  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 drive pinion from the axle. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement.

  4. Object Number: 1988394  Size: SH
  5. Using the DT-47688 and a press, remove the bearing from the drive pinion.
  6. Remove the shim.

  7. Object Number: 889100  Size: SH

    Important: 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.

  8. Using a hammer and a brass drift in the slots provided, remove the outer pinion bearing cup from the axle housing.

  9. Object Number: 889098  Size: SH

    Important: 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.

  10. Using a hammer and a brass drift in the slots provided, remove the inner pinion bearing cup from the axle housing.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 889101  Size: SH
  1. Using the J 8611-01 , 8.6 inch axle, or the J 7818 , 9.5/9.5LD inch axle (1), and the J 8092  (2), install the outer pinion bearing cup.

  2. Object Number: 651743  Size: SH
  3. Using the J 45870 , 8.6 inch axle, or the J 22306 , 9.5/9.5LD inch axle (2), and the J 8092  (1), install the inner pinion bearing cup.
  4. Determine the selective shim thickness for the drive pinion. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment.
  5. Install the selective shim between the inner pinion bearing and the shoulder on the gear.

  6. Object Number: 651742  Size: SH

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

  7. Using the J 22828 Input/Counterbalance Race Installer or the J 36614 , install the inner pinion bearing.
  8. Install a new collapsible spacer.
  9. Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations.
  10. Install the outer pinion bearing into the axle housing.

  11. Object Number: 889108  Size: SH
  12. Using the J 22388 , install a new pinion oil seal.
  13. Install the pinion into the axle housing.
  14. Apply sealant, GM P/N 12346004 (Canadian P/N 10953480) or equivalent, to the splines of the pinion yoke.

  15. Object Number: 788905  Size: SH

    Important: Align the reference marks made during the removal procedure.

  16. Install the pinion yoke.
  17. Notice: Refer to Pinion Flange/Yoke Installation Notice in the Preface section.

  18. Using a soft-faced hammer, seat the pinion yoke onto the pinion shaft by tapping it a until a few threads show through the yoke.
  19. Install the washer and a new pinion nut.
  20. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 788482  Size: SH

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

  21. Using the J 8614-01 , hold and tighten the pinion nut.
  22. 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.


    Object Number: 661077  Size: SH
  23. Using an inch-pound torque wrench, measure the rotating torque of the pinion.
  24. 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 .

  25. 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.
  26. Tighten
    Tighten the pinion nut, in small increments, 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.

  27. Once the specified torque is obtained, rotate the pinion several times to ensure the bearings have seated.
  28. Recheck the rotating torque of the pinion bearing and adjust if necessary
  29. Install the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement.
  30. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement.
  31. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.