Devin's Silverado Repair Manual2008 Silverado 1500 LS
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Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (8.6, 9.5/9.5LD, and 11.5 Inch Axles)



Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement (8.6, 9.5/9.5LD, and 11.5 Inch Axles)


Tools Required
* J 22536 Pinion Driver, 8.6 inch, 9.5/9.5LD inch axles
* J 44421 Pinion Remover, 11.5 inch axle



Removal Procedure

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
2. Remove the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement (8.6, 9.5/9.5LD Inch Axles) (Differential Replacement (8.6, 9.5/9.5LD Inch Axles))Differential Replacement (10.5 Inch, 11.5 Inch Axle) (Differential Replacement (10.5 Inch, 11.5 Inch Axle)) .
3. Remove the pinion yoke and the oil seal. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement (All Except 9.75 Inch Axle) (Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement (All Except 9.75 Inch Axle))Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle w/Drum Brakes) (Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle w/Drum Brakes)) .

Technical service diagram



4. Install the J 22536 , 8.6 inch or 9.5/9.5LD inch axle, or the J 44421 , 11.5 inch axle as shown.
Ensure that the J 22536 or the J 44421 is firmly seated on the pinion.
5. Drive the pinion out using the J 22536 or the J 44421 and a hammer.
Strike the J 22536 or the J 44421 slowly. Do not let the pinion fall out of the rear axle housing.

Technical service diagram



6. Remove the collapsible spacer from the pinion. Discard the spacer.
7. Remove the pinion bearings and the cups. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement (8.6, 9.5, 11.5 Inch Axle) (Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement (8.6, 9.5, 11.5 Inch Axle))Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) (Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle)) .

Important: The ring gear bolts on the 8.6 inch and the 9.5/9.5LF inch axles have left-hand threads. The ring gear bolts on the 11.5 inch axle have right-hand threads.


8. Remove the gear bolts. Discard the bolts.

Notice: Refer to Ring Gear Removal Notice .

9. Remove the ring gear from the differential. Drive the gear off with a brass drift if necessary.



Installation Procedure


Important: The mating surface of the ring gear and the differential case must be clean and free of burrs before installing the ring gear.



Technical service diagram



1. Install the ring gear to the differential case.

Technical service diagram




Important: The ring gear bolts on the 8.6 inch and the 9.5/9.5LD inch axles have left-hand threads. The ring gear bolts on the 11.5 inch axle have right-hand threads.


2. Install the new ring gear bolts.
Hand start each bolt to ensure that the ring gear is properly installed to the differential case.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice .

3. Tighten the ring gear bolts, Tighten the ring gear bolts alternately and in stages, gradually pulling the ring gear onto the differential case.

* For the 8.6 inch axle, tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 120 N.m (89 lb ft).
* For the 9.5/9.5LD inch axles, tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 140 N.m (103 lb ft).
* For the 11.5 inch axle, tighten the ring gear bolts in sequence to 237 N.m (175 lb ft).


4. Install the pinion bearing cups. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement (8.6, 9.5, 11.5 Inch Axle) (Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement (8.6, 9.5, 11.5 Inch Axle))Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) (Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle)) .
5. Determine the selective shim thickness for the pinion gear. Refer to Pinion Depth Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle) (Pinion Depth Adjustment (10.5 Inch Axle))Pinion Depth Adjustment (8.6, 9.5/9.5LD, and 11.5 Inch Axles) (Pinion Depth Adjustment (8.6, 9.5/9.5LD, and 11.5 Inch Axles)) .
6. Install the selective shim onto the pinion.
7. Install the inner pinion bearing to the pinion. Refer to Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement (8.6, 9.5, 11.5 Inch Axle) (Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement (8.6, 9.5, 11.5 Inch Axle))Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) (Drive Pinion Bearings Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle)) .
8. Install a new collapsible spacer.
9. Lubricate the pinion bearings with axle lubricant. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .
10. Install the outer pinion bearing into the axle housing.
11. Install the new pinion oil seal. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement (All Except 9.75 Inch Axle) (Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement (All Except 9.75 Inch Axle))Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle w/Drum Brakes) (Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle w/Drum Brakes)) .
12. Install the pinion into the axle housing.
13. Install the pinion yoke. Refer to Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement (All Except 9.75 Inch Axle) (Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement (All Except 9.75 Inch Axle))Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle w/Drum Brakes) (Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke and/or Oil Seal Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle w/Drum Brakes)) .
14. Install the differential assembly. Refer to Differential Replacement (8.6, 9.5/9.5LD Inch Axles) (Differential Replacement (8.6, 9.5/9.5LD Inch Axles))Differential Replacement (10.5 Inch, 11.5 Inch Axle) (Differential Replacement (10.5 Inch, 11.5 Inch Axle)) .
15. Fill the axle with lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle) (Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle))Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (9.5 Inch LD Axle) (Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (9.5 Inch LD Axle))Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle) (Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle)) .
16. Lower the vehicle.