GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Cadillac 🢒 1999 🢒 Catera 🢒 Driveline/Axle 🢒 Rear Drive Axle 🢒 Drive Pinion Assemble

Drive Pinion Outer Bearing Installation Procedure
    • J 42147 Outer Pinion Bearing Race Installer
    • J 42176 Driver Handle

    Object Number: 218865 Size: SH
  1. Install the differential drive pinion gear outer bearing outer race to the housing using the J 42147 , J 42176 and a deadblow hammer or press.

    2. Important: Lubricate the differential drive pinion gear outer bearing with rear axle lubricant prior to installation.

  2. Install the differential drive pinion gear outer bearing into the housing.
  3. Install the pinion seal.

Drive Pinion Inner Bearing Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 218858 Size: SH
  1. Install the pinion shim (1) to the housing (2).

    2. Object Number: 218860 Size: SH
  2. Install the inner bearing race to the housing, if removed, with the following tools:
    3. • Use the J 42176 .
    • Use the J 42147 .
    • Use a deadblow hammer or use a press.

    Object Number: 218861 Size: SH
  3. Lubricate the differential drive pinion gear inner bearing and the drive pinion gear shaft with rear axle lubricant and use a press to install the differential drive pinion gear inner bearing (2) to the differential drive pinion gear (1).

    4. Object Number: 218663 Size: SH
  4. Install the differential drive pinion gear bearing spacer (1) onto the differential drive pinion gear (2).
  5. Install the drive pinion gear into the rear axle housing and set pinion depth. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment .
  6. Install the differential drive pinion seal.
  7. Perform the following steps to install the pinion flange:
    8. 7.1. Hold the pinion flange.
    7.2. Tighten the nut until the end play begins to disappear while intermittently rotating the differential drive pinion gear to seat the inner and the outer bearings.

    Object Number: 218854 Size: SH
  8. Set the preload without the carrier installed and with the bearings lubricated to 1.0 N·m to 1.7 N·m (9 lb in to 15 lb in) on the new bearings or 0.9 N·m to 1.2 N·m (8 lb in to 11 lb in) with used bearings.
    9. • The preload specifications are being approached when no further end play is detectable and when the holder will no longer pivot freely as the differential drive pinion gear is rotated.
    • Do NOT attempt further tightening until the preload is checked.
    • Carefully perform the final tightening only after the preload has been checked.
    • Minute tightening of the nut adds significant pound inches of turning torque.
    • Further tighten the nut slightly while checking the preload after each tightening.
    • Exceeding the preload specifications compresses the collapsible spacer too far, thus requiring the installation of a new spacer.
  9. Rotate the differential drive pinion gear several times to assure that the inner and the outer bearings have been seated.

    10. Important: Perform the differential ring gear-to-differential drive pinion gear backlash measurement if installing a new differential ring and pinion gearset. Refer to Backlash Inspection and Adjustment .

  10. Check the preload again.
  11. Reset the preload to the proper specifications if the preload was reduced by rotating the differential drive pinion gear.