Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement 8.6 Inch, 9.5 Inch, 11.5 Inch Axles

Tools Required

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
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. For the 8.6 inch axle, install the J 45871  (1) around the pinion bearing and the J 22912-B  (2) in the inverted position around the J 45871 .
5. Press the bearing off of the pinion using the J 45871 and the J 22912-B .



6. For the 9.5 inch and 11.5 inch axles, press the bearing off of the pinion using the J 22912-B .
7. Remove the shim.



8. Remove the outer pinion bearing cup from the axle housing using a hammer and a brass drift in the slots provided. 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.



9. Remove the inner pinion bearing cup from the axle housing using a hammer and a brass drift in the slots provided. 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.

1. Install the outer pinion bearing cup using the J 8611-01 , 8.6 inch axle, or the J 7818 , 9.5 inch axle, or the J 8608 (11.5 inch axle) (2) and the J 8092  (1).



2. Install the inner pinion bearing cup using the J 45900 , 8.6 inch axle, or the J 22306 , 9.5 inch axle, or the J 44417 , 11.5 inch axle (2) and the J 8092  (1).
3. Determine the selective shim thickness for the pinion. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment .



4. Install the selective shim between the inner pinion bearing and the shoulder on the gear.
5. Install the inner pinion bearing using the J 24433 , 8.6 inch axle, or the J 36614 , 9.5 inch axle, or the J 44412 , 11.5 inch axle.

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

6. Install a new collapsible spacer.
7. Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations in Maintenance and Lubrication.
8. Install the outer pinion bearing into the axle housing.



9. Install a new pinion oil seal using the J 22388 , 8.6 inch, 9.5 inch axles, or the J 44414 , 11.5 inch axle.
10. Install the pinion into the axle housing.
11. Apply sealant, GM P/N 12346004 (Canadian P/N 10953480) or equivalent, to the splines of the pinion yoke.



12. Install the pinion yoke.

Align the marks made during removal.

13. Seat the pinion yoke onto the pinion shaft by tapping it with a soft-faced hammer until a few pinion shaft threads show through the yoke.
14. Install the washer and a new pinion nut.



15. Install the J 8614-01 onto the pinion yoke as shown.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

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

16. Tighten the pinion nut while holding the J 8614-01 .

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.




17. Measure the rotating torque of the pinion using an inch-pound torque wrench.

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 .

18. 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.

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.

19. Once the specified torque is obtained, rotate the pinion several times to ensure the bearings have seated.

Inspect the rotating torque and adjust if necessary.

20. Install the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement .
21. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Lubricant Change .
22. Lower the vehicle.

Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement 10.5 Inch Axle

Tools Required

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement .
3. Remove the pinion gear bearing retainer. Refer to Drive Pinion Housing and/or Seal Replacement .
4. Remove the pinion yoke and the oil seal. Refer to Drive Pinion Housing and/or Seal Replacement .
5. Remove the outer pinion bearing.



6. Remove the pinion.



7. Remove the collapsible spacer.



8. Remove the inner pinion bearing from the pinion using the J 22912-B and a hydraulic press.



9. Remove the outer pinion bearing cup using a hammer and a brass drift in the slots provided.

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.




10. Remove the inner pinion bearing cup using a hammer and a brass drift in the slots provided.

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.




11. Remove the pinion gear pilot bearing using a brass drift and a hammer.

1. Install the pinion gear pilot bearing using the J 22761 .



2. Install the inner pinion bearing cup into the pinion gear bearing retainer using the J 37624  (2) and the J 8092  (1).



3. Install the outer pinion bearing cup into the pinion gear bearing retainer using the J 8608  (2) and the J 8092  (1).



4. Install the inner pinion bearing using the J 24433 .

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

5. Install a new collapsible spacer.
6. Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations in Maintenance and Lubrication.
7. Install the outer pinion bearing into the pinion bearing retainer.
8. Install a new pinion oil seal using the J 22388 .



9. Install the pinion into the pinion gear bearing retainer.
10. Apply sealant, GM  P/N 12346004 (Canadian P/N 10953480) or equivalent, to the splines of the pinion yoke.



11. Install the pinion yoke.

Align the marks made during removal.

Notice: Refer to Pinion Flange/Yoke Installation Notice in the Preface section.

12. Seat the pinion yoke onto the pinion shaft by tapping it with a soft-faced hammer until a few threads show through the yoke.
13. Install the washer and a new pinion nut.



14. Install the J 8614-01 onto the pinion yoke.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

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

15. Tighten the pinion nut while holding the J 8614-01 .

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.

16. Remove the J 8614-01 .

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.

Tighten
Tighten the pinion gear retainer bolts to 88 N·m (65 lb ft).




20. Measure the rotating torque of the pinion using an inch-pound torque wrench.

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 .

21. 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.

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.

22. Once the specified torque is obtained, rotate the pinion several times to ensure the bearings have seated.

Recheck the rotating torque and adjust if necessary.

23. Install the differential assembly Refer to Differential Replacement .
24. Adjust the differential side bearing preload. Refer to Differential Carrier Bearing Preload Adjustment .
25. Determine the selective shim thickness for the drive pinion. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment .
26. Adjust the backlash. Refer to Backlash Adjustment .
27. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Lubricant Change .
28. Lower the vehicle.