GMC 88967027 Front Differential Drive Pinion Gear Shaft

To remove a semi-floating axle shaft, first loosen the rear wheel lug nuts and raise the vehicle on jackstands. Drain the differential lubricant and remove the differential cover. Remove the pinion shaft lock screw and withdraw the pinion shaft. For models with a locking differential, rotate the differential until the shaft touches the case for access to the C-locks. Remove the C-lock from the groove on the inner end of the axleshaft and withdraw the shaft, being careful not to damage the oil seal. To install, insert the axleshaft into the housing until it engages with the differential side gear, install the C-lock, and insert the pinion shaft. Install the cover, fill the differential with lubricant, and install the brake disc or drum. For a full-floating axle shaft, remove the bolts attaching the flange to the hub and withdraw the shaft from the housing. To install, hold the axleshaft level to engage the splines and use a new gasket on the flange. Tighten the flange bolts to the proper torque specifications.

Remove the hubcap on the side the axle is being removed from. Loosen the wheel lug nuts. Loosen the hub nut 1/4-turn, then raise the vehicle and support it securely on jack-stands. Remove the wheel. Remove the skid plate (if equipped). Remove the stabilizer bar and separate the tie-rod end from the steering knuckle. Remove the hub nut and washer. Remove the axle shaft flange bolts. Support the lower control arm with a floor jack. Separate the upper control arm from the steering knuckle. If necessary, detach the brake hose bracket and speed sensor wiring harness from the upper arm. Use a puller to push the outer axle end out of the hub assembly, then remove the axle assembly. Caution: Once the axle shaft or hub nut is removed, DO NOT allow the vehicle's weight to load the front wheels. This could cause the front wheel bearing inner races to separate, resulting in damage to the front brake and suspension components or personal injury. Installation is the reverse of removal. Be sure to tighten the hub nut and the flange bolts to the torque. Tighten the upper ball joint-to-steering knuckle nut to the torque.

Power is transmitted from the front differential/axle to the front wheels through a pair of axle shafts equipped with sliding constant velocity (CV) joints capable of both angular and axial motion. The inner ends of the axle shafts are bolted to an axleshaft connected to the differential side gears, while the outer ends have a stub shaft that is splined to the front hub and bearing assembly and locked in place with a large nut. The outer ends of the axle shafts are equipped with ball-and-cage type CV joints capable of angular but not axial movement. It is important to inspect the boots periodically for damage and leaking lubricant, as torn CV joint boots must be replaced immediately to prevent damage to the joints. If a boot is damaged, the CV joint can be disassembled and cleaned, but if any parts are damaged, the entire axle shaft assembly must be replaced as a unit. Symptoms of worn or damaged CV joints include lubricant leaks, clicking noise in turns, clunk when accelerating after coasting, and vibration at highway speeds. To check for wear in the CV joints and axle shafts, grasp each axle and rotate it in both directions while holding the CV joint housings, feeling for play indicating worn splines or sloppy CV joints. It is also important to check the axle shafts for cracks, dents, and distortion.

Ensure the driveaxle/hub nut and flange bolts are tightened to the specified torque values, along with the wheel lug nuts.

Remove the nuts attaching the axle shaft to its support bracket and the bolts securing the axle shaft flange to the differential carrier. Use a brass punch and hammer to tap on the axle shaft to separate it from the differential case side gear.

Remove the bolts attaching the axleshaft flange to the hub, tap the flange with a soft-face hammer to loosen the shaft, and use locking pliers to grip the flange while twisting the shaft slightly to withdraw it from the housing, placing a drip pan underneath to catch any leaking lubricant.

The first step is to release the parking brake tension.

To check for wear, one can grasp each axle individually and rotate it in both directions while holding the CV joint housings. This allows the person to feel for play that indicates worn splines or sloppy joints. Additionally, it is important to inspect the driveaxle shafts for cracks, dents, and distortion.

Place a drip pan under the outer end of the axle to catch any lubricant that might leak out.

The optional locking limited-slip rear axle slows the rotation of the differential case when one wheel loses traction.

The initial steps are to loosen the rear wheel lug nuts, raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it securely on jackstands.

The outer ends of the driveaxles are equipped with ball-and-cage type CV joints capable of angular but not axial movement.

Before installing the driveaxle, the splines on the stub shaft should be lubricated with multi-purpose grease.