Pinion Preload Check
Installation Procedure^ Tools Required
- J 6133-01 Pinion Bearing Installer
- J 25273 Pinion Seal Installer
- J 8614-01 Pinion Flange Holder
^ Install a pinion selective shim (2) onto the pinion gear shaft
^ Install the pinion bearing (1) onto the pinion gear shaft. Use the J 6133-01.
^ Place the pinion gear (3) on a hydraulic press.
^ Install the inner pinion bearing on the pinion gear shift shaft with the tapered side facing away from the pinion gear.
^ Place the J 6133-01.
^ Install a new collapsible spacer (4) onto the pinion gear shaft with the short shank toward the pinion gear using the J 37769.
^ Install the outer pinion bearing (3) and the pinion gear (5) into the differential carrier (2).
^ Install a new pinion oil seal into the differential carrier using the J25273
^ 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 exist the collapsible spacer will crush requiring a new collapsible spacer before pinion bearing preload can be properly adjusted.
^ Adjust the pinion bearing preload using the J 8614-01 Tighten Tighten the nut gradually in increments of 5 Nm (44 inch lbs.).
^ Between each increments of tightening, remove the J 8614-01
^ Measure the bearing preload using a torque wrench and a 27 mm socket (2).
^ The pinion gear should require 1.2 Nm(11 inch lbs.) in order to rotate.
^ If the pinion bearing preload is less than specified, repeat the adjustment procedure until proper pinion bearing preload has been attained.
^ Install the pinion flange nut.
^ Install the side bearing races onto the differential side bearings.
^ Install the differential assembly into the differential carrier.
^ Install both side bearing adjusters (2) on the side bearing races.
^ Install both side bearing caps onto differential carrier, secure with the four side bearing cap bolts.
^ Tighten differential side bearing cap bolts to 15 Nm(11 ft. lbs.).