GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Differential Carrier Assembly Replacement 4.2L In-Line Six Cylinder

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 656803  Size: SH
  1. Remove the front tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .

  2. Object Number: 687450  Size: SH
  3. Remove the engine protection shield. Refer to Engine Protection Shield Replacement .
  4. Drain the engine of oil.
  5. Drain the front drive axle. Refer to Front Axle Lubricant Replacement .
  6. Remove the front propeller shaft from the front axle. Refer to Front Propeller Shaft Replacement .
  7. Wrap the bearing caps with tape in order to prevent the loss of the roller bearings.

  8. Object Number: 886518  Size: MH
  9. Remove the antilock brake system (ABS) wiring harness from the retainers.

  10. Object Number: 886462  Size: SH
  11. Remove the brake hose retaining bolts.
  12. Remove the front drive axle vent hose.

  13. Object Number: 731542  Size: SH
  14. Remove the left and right upper ball pinch bolt and nut.

  15. Object Number: 886764  Size: SH
  16. Remove the left and right upper shock module retaining nuts.

  17. Object Number: 731562  Size: SH
  18. Remove the front stabilizer bar links from the frame. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
  19. Remove the shock module from the frame.
  20. Remove the steering knuckle from the upper control arm.
  21. Remove the left and right front wheel drive shafts from the front drive axle.

  22. Object Number: 887945  Size: SH
  23. Relocate and secure the left and right front wheel drive shafts to the frame.

  24. Object Number: 887942  Size: SH
  25. Using mechanics wire or hook, support the front shock modules and steering knuckle.

  26. Object Number: 687447  Size: SH
  27. Remove the power steering gear assembly. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .

  28. Object Number: 756293  Size: SH
  29. Remove the inner shaft (2) from the front drive axle. Refer to Front Drive Axle Inner Shaft Replacement .

  30. Object Number: 893104  Size: SH
  31. Remove the front drive axle from the oil pan.
  32. Secure the front drive axle to the frame.
  33. Remove the oil pan. Refer to Oil Pan Replacement .

  34. Object Number: 893108  Size: SH
  35. Remove the front drive axle from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 893104  Size: SH
  1. Install the front drive axle to the frame.
  2. Secure the front drive axle to the frame.
  3. Install the oil pan. Refer to Oil Pan Replacement .
  4. Remove the front drive axle from the frame.
  5. Install the front drive axle to the oil pan.
  6. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  7. Install the front drive axle mounting bolts.
  8. Tighten
    Tighten the front drive axle mounting bolts to 85 N·m (63 lb ft).


    Object Number: 756293  Size: SH
  9. Install the inner axle (2) to the front drive axle. Refer to Front Drive Axle Inner Shaft Replacement .

  10. Object Number: 687447  Size: SH
  11. Install the power steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement .
  12. Remove the left and right front wheel drive shafts from the frame.
  13. Remove the left and right shock module and steering knuckles from their supports.
  14. Install the right and left front wheel drive shafts to the front drive axle.
  15. Install the vent hose to the front drive axle.
  16. Install the left and right shock modules to the frame.
  17. Install the upper shock module retaining nuts.
  18. Tighten
    Tighten the upper shock module mounting bolts to 100 N·m (74 lb ft).

  19. Install the steering knuckle to the upper control arm.
  20. Install the upper ball joint pinch bolt and nut.
  21. Tighten
    Tighten the upper shock module mounting bolts to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).


    Object Number: 731562  Size: SH
  22. Install the front stabilizer bar links to the frame. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .

  23. Object Number: 886462  Size: SH
  24. Install the brake hose retaining bolts.
  25. Tighten
    Tighten the brake hose retaining bolt to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).


    Object Number: 886518  Size: MH
  26. Install the right and left ABS wiring harness in the retainers.
  27. Install the front propeller shaft from the front axle. Refer to Front Propeller Shaft Replacement .
  28. Fill the front drive axle with the proper fluid. Refer to Front Axle Lubricant Replacement .
  29. Fill the engine with the proper amount motor oil. Refer to Approximate Fluid Capacities .

  30. Object Number: 687450  Size: SH
  31. Install the engine protection shield. Refer to Engine Protection Shield Replacement .

  32. Object Number: 656803  Size: SH
  33. Install the tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .

Differential Carrier Assembly Replacement 4.8L, 5.3L,6.0L V-8

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 656803  Size: SH
  1. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.

  2. Object Number: 898127  Size: SH
  3. Remove the engine protection shield. Refer to Engine Protection Shield Replacement in Frame and Underbody.
  4. Drain the front differential. Refer to Front Axle Lubricant Replacement .

  5. Object Number: 886518  Size: MH
  6. Remove the left and right antilock brake system (ABS) wiring harnesses from the retainers.

  7. Object Number: 886517  Size: MH
  8. Disconnect the left and right wheel speed sensor electrical connectors.

  9. Object Number: 886462  Size: SH
  10. Remove the brake hose retaining bolt from the frame. Left shown, right similar.

  11. Object Number: 887945  Size: SH
  12. Disconnect the sway bar link pins from the lower control arms. Right shown, left similar.

  13. Object Number: 687447  Size: SH
  14. Remove the steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement in Power Steering System.
  15. Place an adjustable jack stand under the lower control arm. Left shown, right similar.

  16. Object Number: 731542  Size: SH
  17. Remove the upper ball joint pinch bolt and nut. Right shown, left similar.
  18. Remove the steering knuckle from the upper control arm. Left shown, right similar.

  19. Object Number: 886764  Size: SH
  20. Remove the upper shock module bolts from the frame.
  21. Lower the jack stand to allow removal of the steering knuckle from the upper control arm.
  22. Remove the steering knuckle from the upper control arm.

  23. Object Number: 751412  Size: SH

    Important: In the following service procedures, it is not necessary to remove the wheel drive shaft from the steering knuckles.

  24. Using a brass drift or equivalent, remove the left wheel drive shaft from the front differential.

  25. Object Number: 751411  Size: SH
  26. Using a brass drift or equivalent, remove the right wheel drive shaft from the front differential.
  27. Position the wheel drive shafts to the side.
  28. Important: DO NOT allow the shock modules and steering knuckle to hang without supporting them.

  29. Using mechanics wire or metal hooks, secure the shock modules to the frame.
  30. Remove the jack stand.
  31. Important: It is not necessary to completely remove the front propeller shaft from the vehicle.

  32. Remove the front propeller shaft from the front pinion yoke. Refer to Front Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.
  33. Relocate the propeller shaft to the side and secure.

  34. Object Number: 756293  Size: SH
  35. Remove the inner axle shaft. Refer to Front Drive Axle Inner Shaft Replacement .
  36. Remove the mounting bolts for the front differential assembly.
  37. Remove the front differential assembly from the oil pan.

  38. Object Number: 893104  Size: SH
  39. Secure the front differential to the frame.

  40. Object Number: 898133  Size: SH
  41. Remove the oil pan assembly. Refer to Oil Pan Replacement in Engine Mechanical - 5.3L.

  42. Object Number: 893108  Size: SH
  43. Remove the front differential from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 893108  Size: SH
  1. Position the front differential assembly on the frame.

  2. Object Number: 893104  Size: SH
  3. Secure the front differential assembly.

  4. Object Number: 898133  Size: SH
  5. Install the oil pan assembly. Refer to Oil Pan Replacement in Engine Mechanical - 5.3L.
  6. Position the front differential on the oil pan.
  7. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 893104  Size: SH
  8. Install the differential bolts.
  9. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 85 N·m (63 lb ft).

  10. Install the inner axle shaft. Refer to Front Drive Axle Inner Shaft Replacement in Front Drive Axle.
  11. Position the adjustable jack stand under the lower control arm.
  12. Remove the shock module from the secure position.
  13. Install the right wheel drive shaft in the inner drive shaft.
  14. Rinse the jack stand to allow the installation of the steering knuckle in the upper control arm. Right side shown, left similar.

  15. Object Number: 731542  Size: SH
  16. Install the upper ball joint pinch nut and bolt.
  17. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt and nut to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).

  18. Remove the jack stand from under the lower control arm.

  19. Object Number: 886764  Size: SH
  20. Install the front shock upper retaining nuts. Right shown, left similar.
  21. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 45 N·m (33 lb ft).

  22. Install the steering rack assembly. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement in Power Steering System.

  23. Object Number: 886462  Size: SH
  24. Install the brake hose retaining bolt.
  25. Tighten
    Tighten the brake hose retaining bolt to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).


    Object Number: 887945  Size: SH
  26. Install the sway bar links to the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension.

  27. Object Number: 886517  Size: MH
  28. Connect the wheel speed sensors electrical connectors.

  29. Object Number: 886518  Size: MH
  30. Install the left and right ABS wiring harnesses in the retainers.
  31. Install the front propeller shaft. Refer to Front Propeller Shaft Replacement in Propeller Shaft.
  32. Fill the front differential with fluid. Refer to Front Axle Lubricant Replacement .

  33. Object Number: 898127  Size: SH
  34. Install the engine protection shield. Refer to Engine Protection Shield Replacement in Frame and Underbody.
  35. Install the tires and wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.