Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement (Engine)

Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement (V6 Engine)

Special Tools
* J 34826 Hub Nut Socket (36 mm)
* J 42851 Front Cover Oil Seal Installer
* J 45012 Holding Fixture
* J 45019 Flange and Pinion Cage Remover

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
2. If vehicle is equipped with dual exhaust, remove the exhaust system. Refer to Exhaust System Replacement (Service and Repair).





Note: Remove only the propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange bolts (6). Do NOT remove the coupler from the propeller shaft.

3. Remove the propeller shaft. Refer to Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement (All Wheel Drive) (Service and Repair)Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement (Rear Wheel Drive) (Service and Repair).




4. Install the J 45012 to the flange.
5. While holding the J 45012 , remove the drive pinion nut, using J 34826 .
6. Remove the J 45012 .




7. Using the J 45019 , remove the flange.
8. Using a flat-bladed tool, remove the drive pinion seal. Take care not to damage any sealing surfaces.

Installation Procedure

Note: Ensure the pinion bore is free of excess gear oil. Excessive fluid can get trapped behind the new seals dust shield. The trapped gear oil can get squeezed out when installing the pinion flange and give the illusion of a continued leak.

1. Lubricate the drive pinion flange sealing surface of the drive pinion seal with synthetic gear oil GM P/N 12378514 (Canadian P/N 88901045) or equivalent.




2. Using the J 42851 (1) , install the pinion seal (2) to the differential housing (3).
3. Remove the J 45019 .




4. Install the J 45012 .
5. Install the pinion flange to the drive pinion shaft.

Note: The pinion shaft threads and the pinion flange nut must be free of residue and debris prior to application of threadlocker.

6. Prepare the pinion shaft threads and the pinion flange nut for assembly.
Thoroughly clean the residue from the pinion shaft and the drive pinion flange nut threads by using denatured alcohol or equivalent and allow to dry.
7. Apply threadlocker GM P/N 12345382 (Canadian P/N 10953489), or equivalent to 2/3 of the threaded length of the pinion shaft threads. Ensure that there are no gaps in the threadlocker along the length of the filled area of the pinion shaft threads.
8. Allow the threadlocker to cure approximately 10 minutes before installation.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

9. Install the drive pinion flange nut to the pinion shaft. While holding the J 45012 , use J 34826 to tighten the drive pinion flange nut to 245 Nm (181 lb ft).
10. Remove the J 45012 .
11. Install the propeller shaft. Refer to Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement (All Wheel Drive) (Service and Repair)Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement (Rear Wheel Drive) (Service and Repair).
12. Inspect the fluid level. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection (Rear Drive Axle).
13. If vehicle is equipped with dual exhaust, install the exhaust system. Refer to Exhaust System Replacement (Service and Repair).
14. Lower the vehicle.