Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra. Service manual — part 1450

Fig. 181: Pinion Shaft Touching Housing
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

6. For the 8.6 inch axle, install the pinion shaft into the differential case part way and rotate

the differential assembly until the pinion shaft contact the top of the axle housing.

7. For the 8.6 inch axle, rotate the drive pinion clockwise in order to force the differential

assembly out of the axle housing.

8. For the 9.5/9.5LD inch axle, loosen the differential bearing adjuster nut using the J 24429 .

See Special Tools.

9. Remove the differential assembly.

10. Remove the bearing cups, the shims, and the spacers as necessary.

NOTE:

Refer to Differential Housing Cover and Gasket Removal
Notice .

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

2008 Driveline/Axle Rear Drive Axle - Cab & Chassis Sierra, Cab & Chassis Silverado, Sierra & Silverado

Mark the cups and shims left and right and in the proper order as necessary. Place the cups
and the shims with the bearing caps.

11. Remove the differential side bearings, if necessary. Refer to Differential Side Bearings

Replacement (All Except 9.75 Inch Axle).

12. Remove the ring gear, if necessary. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement

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

Installation Procedure

1. Install the ring gear, if necessary. Refer to Drive Pinion and Ring Gear Replacement

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

2. Install the differential side bearings, if necessary. Refer to Differential Side Bearings

Replacement (All Except 9.75 Inch Axle).

3. Lubricate the differential side bearings with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to

Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .

Fig. 182: View Of Differential Case And Axle Housing
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

2008 Driveline/Axle Rear Drive Axle - Cab & Chassis Sierra, Cab & Chassis Silverado, Sierra & Silverado

4. Place the case, with the bearing cups installed, into the axle housing.

Support the case in order to keep the case from falling out of the axle housing.

Fig. 183: Removing/Installing Bearing Cap Bolt
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

5. Install the bearing caps and the bolts. Do not torque the bearing cap bolts at this time.

6. Adjust the differential side bearing preload. Refer to Differential Carrier Bearing

Preload Adjustment (10.5 Inch, 11.5 Inch Axles) or Differential Carrier Bearing
Preload Adjustment (8.6 Inch Axle) or Differential Carrier Bearing Preload
Adjustment (9.5, and 9.5LD Inch Axles).

7. Adjust the backlash. Refer to Backlash Adjustment (8.6 Inch Axle) or Backlash

Adjustment (10.5, 11.5 Inch Axles) or Backlash Adjustment (9.5 LD Axle).

8. Perform a gear tooth contact pattern check. Refer to Gear Tooth Contact Pattern

Inspection.

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

2008 Driveline/Axle Rear Drive Axle - Cab & Chassis Sierra, Cab & Chassis Silverado, Sierra & Silverado

9. Tighten the bearing cap bolts.

Tighten:

For the 8.6 inch axle, tighten the bearing cap bolts to 75 N.m (55 lb ft)

For the 9.5/9.5LD inch axle, tighten the bearing cap bolts to 85 N.m (63 lb ft)

10. Install the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle w/Drum

Brake w/VSES) or Rear Axle Shaft Replacement (8.6 Inch Axle w/Drum Brakes w/o
VSES) or Rear Axle Shaft Replacement (8.6, 9.5 Inch Axles w/VSES).

11. Fill the axle with the proper lubricant. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (8.6

Inch Axle) or Rear Axle Lubricant Replacement (9.5 Inch LD Axle) or Rear Axle
Lubricant Replacement (10.5 Inch Axle).

12. Lower the vehicle.

DIFFERENTIAL REPLACEMENT (10.5 INCH, 11.5 INCH AXLE)

Tools Required

J 24429 Side Bearing Backlash Spanner. See Special Tools.

Removal Procedure

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .

2. Remove the axle shafts. Refer to Rear Axle Shaft and/or Gasket Replacement.

3. Remove the rear axle housing cover and the gasket. Refer to Rear Axle Housing Cover

and Gasket Replacement.

NOTE:

Refer to Fastener Notice .

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

2008 Driveline/Axle Rear Drive Axle - Cab & Chassis Sierra, Cab & Chassis Silverado, Sierra & Silverado