Tools Required

1. Install a pinion selective shim  (2) onto the pinion gear shaft
2. Install the pinion bearing  (1) onto the pinion gear shaft. Use the J 6133-A .
3. Place the pinion gear  (3) on a hydraulic press.
4. Install the inner pinion bearing on the pinion gear shift shaft with the tapered side facing away from the pinion gear.
5. Place the J 6133-A .



6. Install a new collapsible spacer  (4) onto the pinion gear shaft with the short shank toward the pinion gear using theJ 37769 .
7. Install the outer pinion bearing  (3) and the pinion gear  (5) into the differential carrier (2).



8. Install a new pinion oil seal into the differential carrier using the J 25273
9. Apply wheel bearing lubricant GM P/N 1051344, or equivalent, to the new pinion oil seal lip.




Important: Do not overtighten the pinion flange nut when adjusting the bearing preload. Tighten the pinion flange nut gradually while taking frequent pinion bearing preload measurements with a torque wrench. If overtightening exists the collapsible spacer will crush requiring a new collapsible spacer before pinion bearing preload can be properly adjusted.

10. Adjust the pinion bearing preload using the J 8614-01

Tighten
Tighten the nut gradually in increments of 5 N·m (44 lb in).

11. Between each increments of tightening, remove the J 8614-01
12. Measure the bearing preload using a torque wrench and a 27 mm socket (2).
13. The pinion gear should require 1.2 N·m (11 lb in) in order to rotate.
14. If the pinion bearing preload is less than specified, repeat the adjustment procedure until proper pinion bearing preload has been attained.
15. Install the pinion flange nut.



16. Install the side bearing races onto the differential side bearings.
17. Install the differential assembly into the differential carrier.
18. Install both side bearing adjusters (2) on the side bearing races.
19. Install both side bearing caps onto differential carrier, secure with the four side bearing cap bolts.

Tighten
Tighten differential side bearing cap bolts to 15 N·m (11 lb ft).