GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

The differential assembly is a cast aluminium two-piece housing design. The differential is mounted to the rear suspension assembly by three rubber mounts, one either side of the pinion flange at the front and the third at the rear of the housing. The differential housing retaining bolts are located around the outside of the housing with the four larger bolts are also bearing retaining bolts. The internal components incorporate a hypoid gear set, ring gear and pinion, carrier assembly and pinion housing assembly. Pinion bearing pre-load is created through a collapsible spacer. Torque is transferred from the propeller shaft to the differential via the pinion flange which is splined to the hypoid pinion. The torque is then transferred from the pinion through the ring gear, differential case, differential pinions, side gears, and then via splines to the wheel drive shafts.