Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra. Manual — part 1381

35. Measure the drive pinion to the ring gear backlash and adjust, if necessary. Refer to

Backlash Inspection and Adjustment.

36. Once the bearing preload and drive pinion to the ring gear backlash is within specifications,

perform a gear tooth contact pattern check to ensure proper contact between the pinon and
the ring gear. Refer to Gear Tooth Contact Pattern Inspection.

37. Complete the final assembly of the differential carrier. Refer to Differential Carrier

Assembly Final Assembly (8.25 F4WD Axle) or Differential Carrier Assembly Final
Assembly (8.25 S4WD and 9.25 Axles).

DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER ASSEMBLY ASSEMBLE (9.25 INCH AXLE)

Tools Required

J 8092 Universal Driver Handle - 3/4 in - 10

J 8614-01 Flange and Pulley Holding Tool. See Special Tools.

J 35512 Inner Pinion Bearing Installer. See Special Tools.

J 36366 Pinion Oil Seal Installer. See Special Tools.

J 36599-A Side Bearing Nut Wrench. See Special Tools.

J 36603 Side Bearing Cup Installer. See Special Tools.

J 36609 Axle Tube Bearing Installer. See Special Tools.

J 36612 Output Shaft Bearing Installer. See Special Tools.

J 36614 Inner Pinion Bearing Installer. See Special Tools.

J 36615 Side Bearing Nut Wrench (9. See Special Tools.25 inch axle)

Assemble

1. Install the selective shim between the inner pinion bearing and the shoulder of the pinion

gear.

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

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

Fig. 209: View Of Inner Pinion Bearing & Pinion Gear
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

2. Install the inner pinion bearing onto the pinion gear using the J 35512 . See Special Tools.

3. Install the new collapsible spacer onto the pinion gear.

4. Lubricate the inner and the outer pinion bearings with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid.

Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations .

5. Install the outer pinion bearing into the differential carrier case half.

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

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

Fig. 210: Installing Oil Seal Using J 36366 - Front Axle
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

6. Install the oil seal by doing the following:

1. Install the differential carrier case half into a vise.

Place shop towels in the vise in order to protect the differential carrier case.

2. Install the seal using the J 36366 . See Special Tools. Ensure the seal flange is seated

on the axle housing surface.

7. Apply sealant to the splines of the pinion yoke. Use the correct sealant. Refer to Sealers,

Adhesives, and Lubricants.

8. Install the pinion gear, with the inner pinion bearing and the new collapsible spacer, into the

left differential carrier case half.

9. Install the pinion yoke.

NOTE:

Refer to Pinion Flange/Yoke Installation Notice .

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

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

10. Seat the pinion yoke onto the pinion shaft by tapping it with a soft-faced hammer until a few

pinion shaft threads show through the yoke.

11. Install the washer and a new pinion nut.

If the new pinion nut cannot be installed, perform the following steps in order to seat the
pinion yoke onto the pinion so that the washer and new pinion nut can be installed:

1. Remove the pinion nut washer.

2. Install the old pinion nut.

3. Tighten the nut until a few of the shaft threads show through the nut so that the washer

and new pinion nut can be installed.

4. Remove the old pinon nut.

5. Install the pinion nut washer.

6. Install the new pinion nut.

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

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