GM 12471523
Pinion Seal

The following tools are required to change drive pinion housing or seal: pinion seal installer (J 44414), split-plate bearing puller (J 22912-01), pinion cone and side bearing installer (J 24433), pinion bearing installer (J 37624), universal driver handle 3/4 in -- 10 (J 8092), rear pinion bearing race installer (J 8608) and flange/pulley holding tool (J 8614-01). First drain axle lubricant after lifting the vehicle followed by taking out axle shafts then make a note of the rear propeller shaft position to the rear axle pinion yoke. The propeller shaft needs to be disconnected after wrapping the bearing caps with tape to avoid bearing roller loss. Record the measurement of pinion and ring gear rotational torque taken with an inch-pound torque wrench for later axle assembly. First remove the retainer bolts from the pinion gear bearing then remove the retainer followed by the pinion and shortly after remove the selective shim. Record the required pinion rotation torque that you measure before using the flange/pulley holding tool (J 8614-01) for pinion nut extraction. The pinion yoke and pinion oil seal should be unplugged from the flange/pulley holding tool (J 8614-01). Later take out the outer and inner pinion bearings using the split-plate bearing puller (J 22912-01) over a hydraulic press. Crank the pinion bearing installer (J 37624) with universal driver handle (J 8092) to put the inner pinion bearing cup in place before ringing up the outer pinion bearing cup with rear pinion bearing race installer (J 8608) and universal driver handle (J 8092). After inserting the inner pinion bearing onto its position using the pinion cone and side bearing installer (J 24433), users must add a new collapsible spacer followed by pinion bearing lubrication and the final pinion installation into the bearing retainer. Position the outer pinion bearing and fresh pinion oil seal into their proper places with the help of the pinion seal installer (J 44414). Sealant application occurs on the splines of the pinion yoke followed by its installation in alignment with pre-made removal marks onto the pinion shaft. Using flange/pulley holding tool (J 8614-01) maintain pinion end play readiness as you tighten the washer and newer pinion nut. Measure the rotating pinion torque which should be 0.40 - 0.57 nm (3 - 5 inch lbs.) more than the recorded removal torque. You should turn the pinion several times after achieving the specified torque to verify bearing seating before repeating the torque measurement for adjustments. Start by choosing the proper thickness of pinion gear bearing retainer shim, then apply sealant to both sealing surfaces followed by shim placement facing the unmachined area before adding sealant to the shim and finally tighten retainer bolts to 88 nm (65 ft. Lbs.). You must check the pinion and ring gear's rotating torque which should lie between 3.9 - 6.2 nm (30 - 55 inch lbs.) for new bearings or between 2.8-5.6 nm (25-50 inch lbs.) for used bearings during the testing process. A preload adjustment needs to be made on the pinion or differential side bearings when required. After realignment of reference marks completes the installation of propeller shaft while retaining clamps and bolts secure in place and axle shafts reattach before lubricating the axle and allowing the vehicle to descend.