GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2009 🢒 Solstice 🢒 General Information 🢒 General Information 🢒 Differential Replacement

Removal Procedure
  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
  2. Remove propeller shaft. Refer to Propeller Shaft Replacement.
  3. Remove the rear tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  4. Remove the right and left wheel drive shafts. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement.

    5. Object Number: 787236 Size: SH
  5. Position a transmission jack beneath the differential.
  6. Firmly secure the differential to the transmission jack.

    7. Object Number: 1863568 Size: SH
  7. Remove the front differential carrier bracket-to-frame bolt (1).

    8. Object Number: 1862679 Size: SH
  8. Remove the left (1) and right (2) differential rear mounting bolts.
  9. Lower the jack slightly until the mounting ear at the front of the differential clears the support attachment point.
  10. Remove the differential from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure

    Note: The differential is shipped with a plastic vent plug. Remove the plastic vent plug prior to differential vent installation.

  1. When replacing the differential. remove the plastic vent plug and install a new differential vent.

    2. The vent flange must be fully seated.

  2. With the differential firmly attached to the jack, raise the differential to the vehicle.

    3. Object Number: 1863568 Size: SH
  3. Hand install the differential carrier bracket-to-frame bolt (1) in order to locate the differential to the rear support.

    4. Object Number: 787236 Size: SH
  4. With the differential firmly attached to the jack, raise the differential to the rear support.
  5. Position the differential to the support.

    6. Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1862679 Size: SH
  6. Install the left (1) and right  (2)  differential rear mounting bolt (1) and tighten to 175 N·m (129 lb ft).
  7. Tighten the differential carrier bracket to frame bolt and tighten to 175 N·m (129 lb ft).

    8. Object Number: 787236 Size: SH
  8. Remove the transmission jack.
  9. Install propeller shaft. Refer to Propeller Shaft Replacement.
  10. Install the wheel drive shafts. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement.
  11. Install the rear tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
  12. Inspect the differential lubricant level. Refer to Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection.
  13. Lower the vehicle.