Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Installation Procedure
- Install the differential carrier assembly to the vehicle.
- Connect the vent hose to the differential carrier assembly.
- Install the differential carrier assembly upper mounting bolt and the nut.
Do not tighten the bolt to specification at this time.
- Install the inner shaft upper mounting bolt and the nut.
Do not tighten the bolt to specification at this time.
- Install the front engine crossmember. Refer to Crossmember Replacement - Front Engine (RWD) or Crossmember Replacement - Front Engine (4WD) in Frame and Underbody.
- Tighten the upper differential carrier assembly and inner shaft housing mounting bolts.
Tighten:Β Tighten the upper differential carrier assembly and inner shaft housing mounting bolts to 85 N.m (63 lb ft).
- Connect the left side wheel drive shaft to the inner shaft flange.
Align the marks made during removal.
- Perform the following procedure before installing the wheel drive shaft to inner shaft bolts:
- Remove all traces of the original adhesive patch.
- Clean the threads of the bolt with denatured alcohol or equivalent and allow to dry.
- Apply threadlocker GM P/N 12345382 (Canadian P/N 10953489) to the threads of the bolts.
- Install the left side wheel drive shaft to inner shaft bolts.
Tighten:Β Tighten the wheel drive shaft to inner shaft flange bolts to 50 N.m (37 lb ft)
- Connect the right side wheel drive shaft to the inner shaft flange.
Align the marks made during removal.
- Perform the following procedure before installing the wheel drive shaft to inner shaft bolts:
- Remove all traces of the original adhesive patch.
- Clean the threads of the bolt with denatured alcohol or equivalent and allow to dry.
- Apply threadlocker GM P/N 12345382 (Canadian P/N 10953489) to the threads of the bolts.
- Install the right side wheel drive shaft to inner shaft bolts.
Tighten:Β Tighten the wheel drive shaft to inner shaft flange bolts to 50 N.m (37 lb ft)
- Install the engine protection shield. Refer to Engine Protection Shield Replacement in Frame and Underbody.
- Connect the propeller shaft to the differential carrier assembly. Refer to Propeller Shaft Replacement - Front in Propeller Shaft.
- Fill the differential carrier assembly with the proper lubricant. Refer to Lubricant Replacement - Front Drive AxleΒ .
- Remove the jack or utility stands.
- Lower the vehicle.
- Inspect the vehicle's Z height and adjust, if necessary. Refer to Trim Height Inspection Procedure in Suspension General Diagnosis.
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.