Front Drive Axle

Front Differential Drive Pinion Flange/Yoke, Seal, and Dust Deflector Replacement

Tools Required

* J 46262 Pinion Sealer
* J 45012 Holding Fixture
* J 45019 Flange and Pinion Cage Remover

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the front propeller shaft constant velocity (CV) joint to drive pinion flange bolts.





3. Carefully move the front propeller shaft toward the rear of the vehicle in order to release the propeller shaft (CV) joint from the drive pinion flange.
4. Position the front propeller shaft out of the way.
5. Support the propeller shaft with heavy mechanic's wire or equivalent.





6. Install the J 45012 to the drive pinion flange.
7. While holding the J 45012 remove the drive pinion flange nut.
8. Remove J 45012 from the drive pinion flange.





9. Install the J 45019 to the drive pinion flange.
10. Using J 45019 remove the drive pinion flange.
11. Remove the J 45019 from the drive pinion flange.
12. Using a flat-bladed tool carefully remove the drive pinion seal. Take care not to damage any sealing surfaces.

Installation Procedure

1. Lubricate the drive pinion flange sealing surface of the drive pinion seal with synthetic gear oil GM P/N 12378514 (Canadian P/N 88901045) or equivalent.
2. Install the drive pinion seal to the J 46262.





3. Using J 46262 install the new drive pinion seal to the differential.
4. Remove the J 46262 from the new drive pinion seal.
5. Install the pinion flange to the drive pinion shaft.

Important: The pinion shaft threads and the pinion flange nut must be free of residue and debris prior to application of threadlocker in order to ensure proper adhesion and fastener retention.

6. Prepare the pinion shaft threads and the pinion flange nut for assembly:

1. Thoroughly clean the residue from the pinion shaft threads by using denatured alcohol or equivalent and allow to dry.
2. Thoroughly clean the residue from the pinion flange nut by using denatured alcohol or equivalent and allow to dry.

7. Apply threadlocker GM P/N 12345382 (Canadian P/N 10953489) or equivalent to 2/3 of the threaded length of the pinion shaft threads. Ensure that there are no gaps in the threadlocker along the length of the filled area of the pinion shaft threads.
8. Allow the threadlocker to cure approximately ten minutes before installation.





9. Install the drive pinion flange nut to the pinion shaft.





10. Install the J 45012 to the drive pinion flange.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice.

11. While holding the J 45012 tighten the drive pinion nut.

Tighten the pinion flange nut to 241 N.m (178 lb ft).

12. Remove the J 45012 from the pinion flange.
13. Install the propeller shaft to the drive pinion flange.





14. Install the propeller shaft to the drive pinion flange bolts.

Tighten the (6) propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange bolts in sequence (1-6) to 30 N.m (22 lb ft).

15. Inspect the fluid level. Refer to Front Axle Lubricant Level Inspection.





Important: Ensure that there is no rotational movement between the constant velocity (2) and the propeller shaft tube.

16. Lower the vehicle.