Q: What tools are required to replace the drive pinion bearings on 8.6, 9.5/9.5LD, and 11.5 inch axles on Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Classic?
A: To replace the drive pinion bearings on 8.6, 9.5/9.5ld, and 11.5 inch axles, the following tools are required: j 7818 (Inner Bearing Race Installer, 9.5/9.5LD inch axle), j 8092 (Driver Handle ¾ in - 10), j 8608 (Rear Pinion Bearing Race Installer, 8.6 inch, 11.5 inch axle), j 8611-01 (Rear Pinion Bearing Race Installer), j 8614-01 (Flange and Pulley Holding Tool), j 22306 (Pinion Cup Bearing Installer - Rear, 9.5/9.5LD inch axle), j 22388 (Rear Axle Pinion Oil Seal Installer, 8.6 inch, 9.5/9.5LD inch axle), j 22912-b (Split Plate Bearing Puller), j 24433 (Pinion Cone and Side Bearing Installer, 8.6 inch axle), j 36614 (Inner Pinion Bearing Installer, 9.5/9.5LD inch axle), j 44412 (Pinion Bearing Installer, 11.5 inch axle), j 44414 (Rear Axle Pinion Oil Seal Installer, 11.5 inch axle), and j 45871 (Pinion Bearing Remover), j 45870 (Pinion Bearing Cup Installer, 8.6 inch axle). Start by lifting the vehicle followed by Differential and drive pinion removal from the axle. When removing pinion bearings from an 8.6 inch axle setup, administrators should install the j 45871 around the bearing and then place the j 22912-b upside down on top of the j 45871. This configuration will enable bearing removal through a press. You should use the j 22912-b to press off bearings from both the 9.5/9.5ld inch and 11.5 inch axles. The axle housing gets its outer and inner Pinion Bearing cups together with the shim removed using a hammer and brass drift. Install the outer Pinion Bearing cup using the j 8611-01, j 7818 or j 8608 and j 8092 and use j 45870, j 22306 or j 44417 with j 8092 for the inner Pinion Bearing cup installation. Place the imposed shim selection on the inner Pinion Bearing until it rests against the gear shoulder. Install these tools in sequence to fit the inner Pinion Bearing: j 24433, j 36614 and j 44412. The installation processes also require new collapsible spacers combined with Pinion Bearing lubrication followed by use of these tools to finish installation. The outer Pinion Bearing must be installed into the axle housing before adding a new pinion oil seal through use of j 22388 or j 44414. Position the pinion inside the axle housing before adding sealant to the pinion yoke splines and inserting the pinion yoke while maintaining the same marks created during removal. First position the pinion yoke onto its shaft before placing a new washer below a fresh pinion nut. Holding the pinion yoke with the j 8614-01 tool while tightening the pinion nut allows technicians to measure the resulting pinion torque before and after the pinion end play is just taken up. Follow up by growing the pinion nut torque in small intervals until the proper specification is met. Prior to installing the Differential and filling the axle with lubricant, users must check the pinion torque and spin the pinion multiple times while confirming that the bearings are seated correctly.